Iran warns US as Gulf conflict enters dangerous phase

Iran has vowed to continue resisting the United States as fighting between the two countries intensified across the Gulf region. Fresh military strikes, missile attacks and growing tensions have raised fears of a wider regional conflict, while global concern continues to grow over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy routes.

Iranian Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akaminia said Tehran would not back down despite increasing military pressure. He said Iran would continue defending its national interests and would counter every US intervention in the region. He also stressed that Iran remains capable of controlling the Strait of Hormuz, despite repeated American military operations targeting its coastal defence systems.

The latest escalation followed a new wave of US airstrikes against Iranian military positions. According to the US military, the operation targeted missile launch sites, command centres, air defence systems, surveillance facilities and coastal defence infrastructure. Several locations, including Greater Tunb Island and the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas, were struck during the operation.

US officials said the attacks were intended to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran restricted maritime traffic in the area. The waterway is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, carrying nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Continued military operations have already disrupted shipping traffic and contributed to rising international oil prices.

Iran responded by launching missile and drone attacks against US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the strikes targeted military bases, radar systems and command centres used by American forces in the region. Iranian officials described the attacks as retaliation for recent US military operations inside Iranian territory.

Iranian media also claimed that the country’s air defence forces successfully shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone over Khuzestan province. The report said the drone had entered Iranian airspace before being intercepted.

Jordan confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted eight Iranian missiles during the early hours of Thursday. Military officials said the missiles were destroyed before reaching their targets. No casualties or damage were reported. Security teams later collected missile debris from several areas across the country.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities reported fresh explosions in several western and southern provinces following another wave of US strikes. Officials in Hamadan province said emergency services and rescue teams had been placed on full alert. Local authorities confirmed there were no casualties despite damage in some areas.

Iranian state media also reported that explosions occurred near Shahid Baghaei Hospital in Ahvaz, where children with cancer receive treatment. Officials said families evacuated patients as a precaution after nearby strikes caused panic in the area. The reports alleged that the hospital itself was not directly targeted but was affected by the surrounding attacks.

The latest violence comes after the collapse of a fragile ceasefire that had briefly reduced tensions. Diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation have so far failed, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating previous understandings.

US President Donald Trump said his administration would continue military operations if necessary but claimed Iran was interested in reaching an agreement. He said Washington remained open to negotiations while maintaining pressure through military action.