The exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran continues with no sign of de-escalation. More than thirty civilians have been killed in Iran since the resumption of clashes on July 7, according to the latest toll released by Iranian authorities. Meanwhile, military operations are spreading to several regions of the Middle East.
The U.S. military announced that it conducted a new series of strikes overnight from Wednesday to Thursday against military targets in Iran, particularly in the port city of Bandar Abbas in the south. Washington claims to have targeted military infrastructure to reduce Iranian capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier on Wednesday, strikes also targeted coastal defense sites and cruise missile installations on the island of Greater Tunb.
In Iran, state media reported the activation of air defense systems in Tehran as well as explosions in the north and west of the country. The surroundings of Bushehr, home to Iran’s only nuclear power plant, and the Iranshahr region were also targeted. The Iranian army added that seven of its soldiers were killed during these attacks.
Clashes resumed on July 7 following attacks on ships in the Gulf, which Washington attributed to Tehran. According to the Iranian government, more than thirty civilians have lost their lives since that date. In retaliation, Iranian armed forces announced they had targeted the U.S. Al-Azraq airbase in Jordan using drones, specifically aiming at communication and fuel storage facilities. Air alerts were also reported in Kuwait and Bahrain, while explosions were heard near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan.
At sea, Iran maintains the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that this measure will remain in effect as long as U.S. military operations continue. For its part, the United States has re-established a blockade of Iranian ports. The U.S. military indicated it had neutralized an oil tanker that allegedly attempted to break this blockade.
Despite the clashes, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed a “gesture of goodwill” from Tehran on Wednesday following the announcement of the release of an American citizen held in Iran since 2024, according to Washington.
The conflict continues to have repercussions on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for global hydrocarbon trade. The number of commercial vessels in transit has decreased in recent days, while oil prices remain high following their sharp rise earlier in the week.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-16 10:56:45 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
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