New US strikes on Iran, Tehran retaliates

The conflict between the United States and Iran has flared up again. On Tuesday, US forces carried out new strikes in the south of the country. According to the US Central Command (Centcom), the strikes were a response to recent attempts by the Revolutionary Guards to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as US military personnel deployed in the region.

Iranian state television reported explosions near Bandar Abbas and on the island of Qeshm. It also reported an attack on the airport in Jiroft, in Kerman province. Iranian authorities said a US strike had hit a house in Kuhestak, in Hormozgan province, where a wedding was taking place. At least four people were reportedly killed in the attack, and another 35 were wounded.

US President Donald Trump described the strikes as "massicci e potenti" (massive and powerful). He also threatened a far larger offensive should Iran respond again.

Tehran's response

Iran's reaction came a few hours later, shortly before 10pm Swiss time. According to the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, Iran began launching missiles and drones at US targets in the region. A base in Jordan was reportedly hit: the government in Amman confirmed that missiles had been fired at its territory. A base in Bahrain was also reportedly targeted. There are no reports so far of casualties among US forces. The Revolutionary Guards warned that a "severa punizione" (severe punishment) awaited the United States.

This new escalation had been preceded by US strikes already on Sunday evening. Direct military clashes between the two countries had been on hold for about a month. During that time, Washington had mainly focused on increasing economic pressure on Iran through new sanctions.