Key facts
- Iran ordered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid clashes with US forces.
- Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
- The US military conducted strikes targeting Iranian surveillance, communication, and air defense systems.
- Two Indian seafarers died following a US attack on an oil tanker.
- Israeli forces conducted operations in southern Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.
Iran's military command has ordered the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating clashes with US forces. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) stated it launched retaliatory strikes against US military targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, following earlier US attacks on multiple Iranian cities including Bandar Abbas and Karaj. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) described its actions as self-defense against Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression," targeting surveillance, communication, and air defense systems.
Reports indicate explosions in several Iranian coastal areas and near the capital. Kuwait and Bahrain confirmed their air defenses intercepted aerial targets, while Jordan did not comment on Iranian missile launches. A young girl in Bahrain sustained minor injuries from falling debris after intercepted drones. The conflict has also seen casualties among Indian seafarers, with two confirmed dead and one missing following a US attack on the Settebello oil tanker off Oman.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military continued operations in southern Lebanon, conducting airstrikes and artillery shelling in areas like Nabatieh and Tyre, reportedly aiming to destroy Hezbollah's weaponry and gain political leverage. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces conducted raids and notified residents of house demolitions. Hamas welcomed an Amnesty International report criticizing Israeli actions, calling for international legal proceedings against Israeli leaders. Crowds in Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood rallied in support of Iran.