US Intensifies Campaign with Another Round of Attacks on Iran

The United States has launched a new wave of military strikes against Iran, targeting what it described as key military infrastructure linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation focused on military command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal defense systems, surveillance sites, and maritime assets.

The strikes, carried out early Thursday, were launched in response to Iranian missile attacks on U.S. forces a day earlier. Reports indicate that most of the attacks were concentrated in Iran’s southern provinces, particularly areas along the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian authorities said a residential building on Qeshm Island was struck during the attacks, leaving three people trapped beneath the rubble while two others were injured and taken to hospital. Explosions were also reported in the nearby port city of Bandar Abbas, initially sparking concerns that the port itself had been targeted. Power outages affected parts of Qeshm Island as emergency crews worked to restore electricity and clear debris.

Officials in Khuzestan Province confirmed that several locations in Abadan were hit, while Iranian media reported additional strikes near Kazerun in Fars Province and explosions on Kish Island. Authorities stated that airport operations and passenger ferry services on Kish Island continued without disruption.

Following the attacks, the IRGC vowed to continue resisting what it called ongoing U.S. threats. Analysts say Washington now faces two potential paths: continuing strikes against infrastructure linked to Iran’s influence over the Strait of Hormuz or expanding operations to target critical infrastructure such as bridges and power facilities.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. The latest military action follows Iran’s rejection of an Omani proposal to jointly manage shipping routes through the strait.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury announced fresh sanctions on two Iranian companies accused of supporting an IRGC-backed insurance network that allegedly forces commercial vessels to purchase coverage to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States would not allow Iran to use international shipping routes to finance military operations or threaten global commerce.

CENTCOM stated that the latest strikes were intended to reduce threats posed by Iran and its allied groups to American forces, commercial shipping, and Gulf nations. Former Pentagon official David Des Roches described the operation as relatively limited, suggesting the Trump administration may be seeking to maintain proportionality while leaving room for diplomatic efforts.