The United States conducted airstrikes against Iranian missile depots, drones, and air defense systems, citing swift punishment for the deaths of two American service members. The strikes concluded Saturday night, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces believed to be responsible for a fatal attack on U.S. assets in Jordan.
Central Command (CENTCOM) released footage showing U.S. forces launching a missile at Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities. "During the eighth consecutive night of U.S. strikes, CENTCOM forces successfully hit Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites to continue degrading Iranian military capabilities," a CENTCOM statement said. The command also noted the deployment of over 50,000 soldiers across the Middle East.
Iranian state media reported that Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, was among the targets. Explosions were also reported in Bandar Abbas, a city near the Strait, and the city of Sirik. Separately, an IRGC-affiliated news station, Tasnim, reported that Iran had struck U.S. assets in Kuwait in retaliation for the ongoing U.S. strikes.
The IRGC claimed to have targeted two U.S. bases, Camp Buehring and Ali Al Salem Air Base, with "large-scale attacks with kamikaze drones." The renewed military actions follow an Iranian strike on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Friday, which killed two U.S. service members, left one missing in action, and injured four others who were subsequently medically evacuated and discharged.
President Donald Trump described the soldiers' deaths as a "very sad thing" and reiterated his objective to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. According to the provided notes, these deaths mark the 15th and 16th among U.S. servicemembers since February, with over 430 wounded.
Prior to the attack on Jordan, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, had stated that U.S. strikes would lead to "unforgettable lessons" and accused Trump of seeking to escalate the conflict. Khamenei referred to the U.S. actions as "criminal" and called the United States the "Great Satan."
Hours after the announcement of the U.S. service members' deaths, Iranian state media reported that IRGC missiles were fired at an unspecified vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier on Saturday, U.S. forces had launched missiles targeting "surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities," according to CENTCOM.
The strikes have impacted civilian infrastructure in Iran, including an electricity plant in Hormozgan, which led to a water supply cut for approximately 10,000 residents on Qeshm Island. Damage to a bridge near Bandar Abbas, Iran's main port, was also reported.
The intensified conflict has focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport. The disruption of this strait has previously caused energy prices to surge worldwide. Amid the U.S. strikes, Iran's energy ministry ordered citizens to conserve electricity due to strain on the country's power grid, citing the need to ensure a stable supply in southern provinces facing extreme heat and attacks on power facilities.