US strikes expand to northern Iran as Tehran retaliates against Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan
The US has carried out fresh strikes on Iranian targets including the capital Tehran, while Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US allies Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Pakistan called for de-escalation.
The United States has launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran, expanding operations to northern parts of the country and targeting the capital Tehran for the first time in the current conflict. US Central Command said the attacks aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, hitting facilities in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, home to Iranian navy and Revolutionary Guard installations.
In retaliation, Iran fired missiles and drones at US allies Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Iran's army reported using kamikaze drones to strike US military communications and fuel storage in Jordan, while Jordanian forces said they shot down eight Iranian missiles.
The US also disabled an oil tanker attempting to reach Kharg Island in the Strait of Hormuz, ignoring warnings to comply with the US naval blockade. Hellfire missiles were fired into the tanker's smokestack.
Pakistan's foreign ministry called on both sides to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with a memorandum of understanding signed in June with Islamabad's mediation. Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan would continue encouraging all sides to adhere to the MoU.
US President Donald Trump declined to set a deadline for Iran but said "they better behave." Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran had never welcomed war but would continue armed resistance while using diplomacy to secure national interests.
Iranian officials reported that US strikes killed at least seven troops and wounded hundreds across the country. Iran's health ministry said at least 30 people had been killed and 260 wounded in southern Iran from US attacks in recent days.
Oil prices rose further, with Brent crude trading above $85 a barrel on Wednesday, more than 15% higher than pre-conflict levels but still below the peak of nearly $120.
Trump thanked Iran for allowing the departure of an American citizen he said was "wrongfully detained" since December 2024. The woman was identified by her lawyer as Dena Karari, a dual US-Iranian citizen.
