US-Iran military exchanges intensify as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz reach their peak

A view of Karaj, Iran, shared on social media on Thursday local time. Iranian media reported that explosions were heard across several Iranian cities early that morning. [Reuters]
A view of Karaj, Iran, shared on social media on Thursday local time. Iranian media reported that explosions were heard across several Iranian cities early that morning. [Reuters]

Iran pressed ahead with retaliatory strikes as US airstrikes against the country entered a second consecutive day.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck 18 US military bases across the Middle East on Thursday local time, according to Reuters and other international media. The IRGC said the attacks destroyed a significant number of key US assets.

"Using 12 ballistic missiles, we struck Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, where F-35, F-15 and F-16 fighter jets and major US assets are deployed," the IRGC said in a statement. "A significant number of facilities and multiple fighter jets were destroyed."

Iran also launched missiles and drones at the US Navy's Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain for a second straight day. Bahrain said it intercepted the Iranian missiles in the air.

The Hatam al-Anbiya command said in a statement that it would deliver "an overwhelming and decisive response to any aggression in the region."

Iran also said it struck a military radar at a US air base in Harir, northern Iraq. Iran's state-run Nour News reported that Iranian forces fired on US vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace in response to the Iranian attacks, saying it would maintain the closure until the threat had passed.

"This measure takes into account Iran's attacks and the potential risks they pose to civil aviation," Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation said. "Air traffic will resume as soon as the threat is eliminated."

Iran launched the strikes roughly three hours after the US military announced early Thursday that it was resuming airstrikes against Iran. Tehran immediately vowed to retaliate and moved to fully close the Strait of Hormuz, pushing tensions in the waterway to their highest point yet.


balme@heraldcorp.com