Iran War Highlights: US halts strikes on Iran after hitting around 90 targets

Missile sirens sounded for a third time today in Bahrain as Iran retaliated over US airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic. Bahrain urged the public to seek shelter. Kuwait and Qatar have also been attacked today. 

US airstrikes in Iran over the last two days have killed at least 14 people and wounded another 78, Iran's Health Ministry said today. Hossein Kermanpour, a Health Ministry spokesperson, offered the toll on X. It was the first overall casualty figure issued by the Iranian government from the strikes.

The US military said Thursday it had ended its latest round of airstrikes targeting Iran after hitting some 90 targets. The US military's Central Command made the statement. It released black-and-white footage of what appeared to be strikes targeting an airport runway and missile launchers. "US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief," it added.

The Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has struck key infrastructure at four US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for American strikes in Tehran. "In the first phase of its punitive response, IRGC naval and aerospace forces launched a joint missile and drone strike on US Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and on its bases in Juffair and at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain," IRGC stated, according to Press TV.

Explaining Washington's approach to the conflict, Donald Trump said the US would respond with overwhelming force to any Iranian attack. "Every time they hit us, we hit them 20," he said, signalling a tougher military posture against Tehran.

While speaking during his return from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Donald Trump questioned whether Iran could be trusted in any future negotiations. He suggested that despite Tehran's reported willingness to negotiate, the US remains cautious about entering into a new agreement.

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the United States will intensify military action if Tehran continues targeting commercial vessels. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the latest US strikes were carried out in retaliation for what he described as Iran's attack on ships, adding that any repeat would invite a much stronger response. "Will get much worse if ships are attacked again," said Trump. 

CENTCOM described the alleged attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and said they undermine freedom of navigation in international waters. The command added that US forces remain prepared to respond if Iran fails to adhere to the terms of the agreement.

The United States has accused Iran of targeting three commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels identified by Washington include the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan and the Liberia-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity.

According to CENTCOM, the July 7 operation targeted Iranian air defence systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile capabilities and more than 60 small boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The US said the objective was to reduce Iran's ability to threaten international shipping.

The latest military action comes just days after a major US operation on July 7, during which CENTCOM said it struck more than 80 targets across Iran. The earlier operation was described as a response to alleged Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian media also reported explosions on Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf. Separate reports said three additional blasts were heard near Tahrouyi village in the southern city of Sirik, indicating that multiple locations were affected during the latest wave of strikes.

Explosions were also reported in the Iranian city of Bushehr, home to the country's only operational nuclear power plant. While local media confirmed the blasts, the precise locations and extent of the damage were not immediately known.

Around 10 explosions were reported in Chabahar and the nearby coastal city of Konarak following the latest US military action. Iranian state media reported the blasts, though there was no immediate official information on casualties or the exact targets.

Iran's southern port city of Chabahar witnessed power outages after the US announced fresh airstrikes, according to Iranian state media. The state-run IRNA said electricity was cut in parts of the city and that authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The United States has launched another round of military strikes against Iran, with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying the operation is aimed at further degrading Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The action follows recent alleged attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews in one of the world's busiest maritime routes.