The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified on Tuesday after Washington launched strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Tehran to vow retaliation and claim attacks on US assets in the region.
The US military said the operation was carried out in response to the downing of a US Apache helicopter near the strategic waterway. According to US officials cited by Axios and quoted by NDTV, the strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, surveillance radars and ground control stations around the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions reported across southern Iran
Following the strikes, multiple explosions were reported across southern Iran.
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According to an Al Jazeera report, blasts were heard in Jask and Bandar Abbas, while Iran's Tasnim news agency reported additional explosions on Qeshm Island. Earlier, explosions had also been reported in Sirik.
While US officials said military installations were the primary targets, Iran's Fars news agency reported that two water tanks in Sirik's Bemani district were struck and destroyed.
Multiple Iranian ballistic missile interceptions, ground level explosion seen in Manama, Bahrain minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/gSkNJMf3dq
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 10, 2026
Iran warns of retaliation
Iran reacted sharply to the US operation.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington had chosen to "test" Tehran's "determination" and warned that Iran's armed forces would "leave no attack or threat unanswered".
"Leave our region if you want to be safe," he added.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had launched a drone attack on the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain in response to the strikes. In a statement, the IRGC said clashes were ongoing and warned of stronger retaliation if US military "aggression" continued.
Iranian authorities also said some US bases in the region were targeted in a joint operation involving the country's army and the IRGC. Tehran later claimed it launched an attack targeting a military base in Jordan hosting US forces. There has been no acknowledgement of that claim from Jordan or the United States so far.
US says operation completed
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had "completed self-defence strikes against Iran" following the Apache helicopter incident.
"CENTCOM forces struck Iranian air defence, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz with precision munitions from US Air Force and Navy fighter jets," CENTCOM said.
"US forces remain vigilant and postured to defend against unjustified Iranian aggression," it added.
FAQs:
Why did the US launch strikes on Iran?
The US said the strikes were a response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.
What did Iran claim after the US strikes?
Iran's IRGC claimed it launched a drone attack on the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and warned of further retaliation if US attacks continue.
