U.S. Strikes Multiple Iranian Cities Overnight, Iran Reports Explosions

The United States launched fresh strikes on several Iranian cities overnight, saying the operation was carried out in response to attempted attacks by Iranian forces against U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East.

The U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were a response to what it described as an attempted attack on American forces in the region.

Iranian state media reported a series of explosions in several cities in southern Iran following the strikes.

According to IRIB, U.S. forces targeted several sites in Abadan, a city in Khuzestan province. The report did not provide details about the nature or extent of the damage.

Two powerful explosions were also heard in Bandar Abbas, a major port city in Hormozgan province. Similar explosions were reported on the islands of Abu Musa, Kish and Qeshm.

Iranian semi-official news agency Tasnim reported at least three explosions in an inland area of Qeshm Island.

However, a senior official in Hormozgan province said there had been no attack on Sirik, despite earlier reports of explosions in the area.

IRIB also reported explosions in Bushehr province, home to Iran's only nuclear power plant.

There were no immediate reports in the available accounts of casualties or the extent of damage from the strikes.

The latest attacks mark another escalation in the confrontation between the United States and Iran, raising concerns about further expansion of the conflict across the Middle East.