US Strikes Iran for 11th Night; Tehran Warns Against Nuclear Site Attack
The United States launched strikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night late on Tuesday, as Tehran warned Washington against targeting its nuclear facilities.
US Central Command (Centcom) said the strikes were designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supplies.
Iranian state media reported that air defences were activated in the capital Tehran. Explosions were also reported in the north-western city of Tabriz, the south-eastern ports of Chabahar and Konarak, and in the southern city of Bushehr, which is home to Iran's only nuclear power plant.
Iran, which has retaliated against the US and its Middle East allies, warned of reprisals after former US President Donald Trump said the US would soon hit an underground nuclear site near Natanz.
Iran and the US agreed to a ceasefire in April, but hostilities resumed last week as both countries clashed over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Centcom said US forces had targeted Iranian military operations centres, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. It also accused Iran of attacking more than 30 commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months.
'The unwarranted attacks have endangered hundreds of innocent mariners and undermined freedom of navigation,' Centcom said, adding that the waterway remained open for commercial vessel transit.
Kuwait's army said early Wednesday morning that its air defences were engaging with drone attacks from Iran, while Bahrain and Jordan said they had also intercepted drone and missile strikes.
The price of oil jumped in response to the latest escalation, reaching $94 per barrel on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is still willing to engage in diplomacy with Tehran, but added that he did not believe Iran was serious about talks.
