US strikes around Tehran for first time in most recent wave of attacks, says Iranian state media
The US says it fired a missile into a Curaçao-flagged oil tanker's funnel after claiming the ship, which was sailing toward Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, "ignored multiple warnings".
Published on 16/07/2026 - 5:45 GMT+2
The US military claims to have ended its latest wave of strikes on Iran early Thursday, striking targets further north and around Tehran for the first time in this latest round of violence. American forces also say they have hit a ship they accuses of trying to break their naval blockade on Iran. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Bahrain and Kuwait.
Iranian state media reported that American strikes struck around Tehran, Qeshm Island and the southern port city of Chabahar, as well as, the northern Semnan province which holds Iran's ballistic missile production and space program.
As the US Central Command said in a post on X that US forces struck "Iranian command centers, air defence sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities" as well as "multiple locations including Bandar Abbas."
According to Iran's health ministry, at least 35 people have been killed and more than 300 have been wounded in the ongoing US attacks.
The US also says it fired a missile into a Curacao-flagged oil tanker's funnel after the ship they claim which was sailing toward Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, “ignored multiple warnings”.
Iran launches retaliatory attacks
Meanwhile, Iran launched attacks in return against US assets in the region including Jordan, and Bahrain which activated alarms over air attacks, while Kuwait reported in a post on X "attacks by hostile drones" following "Iranian aggression".
On Wednesday, the US military resumed its air strikes against Iran in broad daylight, as Washington said it was intensifying its campaign aimed at limiting Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The most recent spurge of fighting has ended the interim deal to end the Iran war, and returned an all-out-war to the region. The Strait was initially closed following the launch of the US and Israel's war on Iran on the 28 of February, sending oil, fertiliser and the price of other goods soaring far beyond the region, giving Iran major leverage in negotiations.
