The United States has launched coordinated airstrikes against more than 80 targets across southern Iran, marking one of its largest military operations against the country in recent months.
According to the US military, the strikes targeted multiple locations in southern Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation began on Tuesday and was carried out in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said the operation lasted for about four hours, during which US forces struck more than 80 targets before concluding the mission.
Iranian media reported that the attacks hit commercial and fishing port facilities in the southern port city of Sirik, while other strikes targeted areas near Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas.
A US official told Reuters the operation focused on Iran’s air defence systems, coastal surveillance infrastructure, surface-to-air missile batteries, anti-ship cruise missile sites and drone launch facilities. Iranian state media, however, reported that several people were injured in strikes on the commercial port in Sirik.
Al Jazeera, citing Iranian state television, reported that at least six explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz. State television also said at least seven explosions were heard near the port of Sirik.
The strikes took place while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was in Iraq attending funeral ceremonies for Iran’s slain former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
