The United States carried out a ninth consecutive day of attacks on Iran on Monday, intensifying a conflict that has raised global concerns over energy security and shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Read More: Iran warns of response after US strikes near Hormuz
The US Central Command (Centcom) said it launched a new wave of strikes aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to target commercial vessels operating in the vital waterway. The command did not provide details about the specific locations or targets involved.
The latest military action came after an interim ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran collapsed, triggering a fresh cycle of attacks and increasing fears of a wider regional conflict.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that US missiles struck several Iranian cities, including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini. Explosions were reported in those areas, though independent verification was not immediately available.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would continue responding to Iranian attacks on international shipping while keeping the possibility of diplomacy open.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it carried out retaliatory operations, claiming strikes against what it described as an enemy special operations headquarters in Syria’s Al-Tanf region. The group also said it targeted US aircraft at Jordan’s Aqaba airport with ballistic missiles.
Iranian state media earlier reported drone attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait, including Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base. Kuwait said a desalination facility was attacked for the second consecutive day, causing a fire and damaging critical civilian infrastructure.
Tensions further increased after Iran claimed that two oil tankers exploded and became immobilised while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC said the route was unsafe but did not provide details about the ships, their flags, crews or casualties. Reuters could not independently verify the incident.
The Strait of Hormuz handles around one-fifth of global oil trade, and concerns over disruptions have already pushed energy prices higher.
Read More: Iran Halts Strait of Hormuz Traffic After US Strikes
Meanwhile, the US military confirmed another American service member was killed during operations in northern Iraq while dealing with unexploded material from a downed Iranian drone. The latest death brought the total number of US military personnel killed since the conflict began to 17, with more than 420 wounded.