US-Iran strikes kill 11 as conflict erupts again

The United States and Iran exchanged heavy strikes on Wednesday, marking the most serious escalation between the two sides in weeks.

The United States and Iran exchanged heavy strikes on Wednesday, marking the most serious escalation between the two sides in weeks.

Iranian authorities said 11 people were killed in US attacks on targets in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. The state-run IRNA news agency reported that seven people were killed and eight others wounded in missile strikes on three locations in the province.

The latest attacks came after reports of another US strike near the Strait of Hormuz that hit a wedding ceremony. Iranian officials said the incident killed at least five people and wounded dozens.

The Iranian Red Crescent reported five deaths and 50 injuries at the wedding near Sirik, a coastal area close to the strategic waterway. Iranian media reported that a four-year-old child was among those killed. Another state news agency put the number of injured at 68.

The United States has not officially commented on the reported wedding casualties. A US Central Command spokesman said the military was aware of the reports but maintained that US forces do not target civilians.

The US military said it had carried out a major wave of attacks against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets across Iran. The targets reportedly included air defence systems, radar installations, maritime assets, communications facilities and sites linked to mine-laying operations.

Iranian media reported explosions and attacks in several parts of the country, including areas around the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway remains a major flashpoint because of its importance to global oil shipments.

Iran also claimed that it launched attacks against US military positions in Jordan and Iraq. Iranian media additionally reported strikes involving Bahrain.

The claims could not immediately be independently verified. Two US officials told Reuters that initial assessments showed no American casualties in Jordan, despite Iranian claims that several US personnel had been killed.

Jordanian authorities said their air defence systems dealt with 13 ballistic missiles that entered the country’s airspace. Ten were intercepted, while three landed in remote areas without causing reported casualties.

Bahrain also said Iranian drones had been intercepted and destroyed.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed that its forces carried out coordinated missile and drone attacks against US bases in Erbil, northern Iraq. Neither Washington nor Baghdad immediately confirmed the reported casualties.

The latest exchange represents the first major direct combat between the two sides since July. The fighting follows weeks of relative calm during which both countries avoided major attacks but made little progress towards renewed negotiations.

The renewed conflict comes as both sides face significant economic and military pressures. Iran’s economy has suffered from the war, while its conventional military capabilities have been weakened.

The United States is also facing concerns over its military stockpiles and the economic impact of higher energy prices. The situation around the Strait of Hormuz has added to concerns about global oil supplies and commercial shipping.

US President Donald Trump defended Washington’s position and claimed that the United States had gained significant control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, meanwhile, warned Washington and countries supporting US military operations that further attacks would trigger stronger retaliation.

Iran’s joint military command said continued US military action in the region would face broader and more destructive responses. It also warned countries cooperating with the US that they could face consequences.