The United States has launched a fresh wave of airstrikes against Iranian military positions, vowing to «swiftly punish» Tehran after two American service members were killed and a third remains missing following a drone attack on a US base in Jordan. The strikes mark a significant escalation in the week-long conflict between the two nations, with Washington signalling it will not tolerate attacks on its forces.
According to US officials, the new round of strikes targeted facilities belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, including command centres and weapons storage sites. The operation was authorised after a White House Situation Room meeting on Tuesday, during which military options were debated. Among the options considered were bombing a deep-lying nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain and seizing the strategic Kharg Island, through which 90% of Iran's oil exports would normally flow. However, US planners ultimately opted for a more limited but still punishing barrage aimed at degrading Iran's ability to strike American assets.
The airstrikes come just hours after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that Washington would receive «unforgettable lessons» if it continued to attack the country. In a televised address, Khamenei accused the United States of «seeking to escalate» the conflict and vowed that Iran would respond to any further aggression. The rhetoric has heightened fears of a broader war in the Middle East, with both sides showing little willingness to de-escalate.
The crisis began when a drone strike hit a US military base in Jordan, killing two American service members and leaving a third missing. The attack, which was attributed to Iranian-backed militias, prompted President Donald Trump to describe Iran's leaders as «scum» and «sick people» during a NATO summit earlier this month. The US has since been exploring ways to «bend Iran to its will,» though analysts note that a substantial ground campaign remains unlikely given the lack of public appetite for another prolonged conflict in the region.
In a related development, air raid sirens were activated in Bahrain, which hosts a US naval base and has been targeted by Iranian forces in recent days. A journalist from the Agence France-Presse confirmed that sirens rang out in the capital, Manama, though no immediate casualties were reported. The incident underscores the widening scope of the confrontation, which now threatens to engulf other Gulf states.
The US military has not disclosed the exact number of targets hit in the latest strikes, but defence officials described the operation as «significant» and aimed at sending a clear message to Tehran. «We will not hesitate to defend our forces and our interests,» a Pentagon spokesperson said. «These strikes are a direct response to the hostile actions of Iran and its proxies, and we will continue to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of our personnel.»
Iran has yet to confirm the extent of the damage from the US strikes, but state media reported explosions in several provinces, including near key military installations. The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the attacks as «a blatant act of aggression» and warned that Tehran reserved the right to respond «at a time and place of its choosing.»
The escalation has drawn international concern, with the United Nations calling for an immediate de-escalation and urging both sides to exercise restraint. Meanwhile, oil prices have surged on fears that the conflict could disrupt supplies from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. The situation remains highly volatile, with no clear path to a ceasefire in sight.
