US launches more strikes on Iran as conflict spreads across region
Pentagon retaliates following attempted attacks targeting American forces while fighting draws in Tehran-backed proxies
The US military said it struck dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard targets in Iran, including military command centres and drone facilities, in a two-hour operation launched after Tehran fired ballistic missiles at US forces in the Middle East.
“The strikes aimed to further diminish threats posed by Iran and its proxies to American forces, commercial shipping, and neighbouring Gulf countries,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Iran’s state media reported that three people were killed in US strikes on Qeshm Island.
Jordan’s armed forces said on Thursday that they had thwarted an Iranian attempt to target the kingdom, intercepting five missiles.
The US strikes came after Iran confirmed on Wednesday that it had fired ballistic missiles at US troops in Jordan. CENTCOM said all of the missiles were intercepted. US bases in Jordan have lately become primary Iranian targets.
Earlier on Wednesday, US and Saudi forces launched strikes against Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq, in retaliation for drone attacks on Saudi oil targets launched from Iraq. The joint attack marked the first time Riyadh has publicly joined strikes alongside Washington.