Clashes between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz are intensifying on their sixth day. Iran announced that 38 people were killed in US strikes, while the Tehran government expanded its military operations against US allies in the Gulf.
Iran's Health Ministry announced that 38 people lost their lives and more than 400 were wounded in US strikes that have continued since June 22. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted and destroyed two US radar facilities in Oman. One facility was for maritime surveillance and the other for air surveillance, it was reported.
Gulf Countries Targeted
The clashes spread to the Gulf region. The Jordanian army reported that it shot down three Iranian missiles and that there were no casualties or damage. Iran announced it targeted US military infrastructure in Kuwait; Kuwait said it responded to missile and drone attacks. Bahrain and Qatar were also attacked on Friday morning, with Qatar's Defense Ministry announcing it thwarted a missile attack.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it carried out a surprise attack on the US Special Operations Command Center in Syria's Al-Tanf region. The attack was said to be in retaliation for the Iranian soldiers killed in Iranshahr.
US Tightens Blockade
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a ship was boarded in the Gulf of Oman as part of Washington's renewed blockade on Iranian ports, and that three ships attempting to breach the blockade were 'diverted.' The US military said strikes on Iran continued for a sixth consecutive night. CENTCOM stated that the strikes, which began at 9:00 p.m. local time, were carried out to 'further degrade Iran's military capabilities.'
Iranian state television reported that two explosions occurred in the city of Bushehr, home to the country's only civilian nuclear power plant. It was also reported that the US struck an airport and a train station in the port city of Bandar Abbas, as well as two bridges near the Strait of Hormuz, killing three people.
Diplomacy and Regional Reactions
The White House said that US President Donald Trump is open to diplomacy with Iran, and that Washington maintains contact with Tehran despite the clashes. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, 'The President holds them accountable when they don't keep their word, but he is also always open to diplomacy.'
The foreign ministers of China and Pakistan, following their meeting in Shanghai, called on the US and Iran to end the clashes and return to the negotiating table.
An Iraqi security official said a drone struck a ship carrying 'American-branded cars' off the port of Basra. Iraq's Oil Ministry announced that an unidentified object fell near a tanker. Iranian news agencies reported that the US carried out attacks around Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz.
