US Central Command announces fifth consecutive night of strikes on Iran

BAGHDAD, Iraq — US Central Command said Thursday evening that American forces had launched a new wave of strikes on Iran, marking the fifth consecutive night of attacks. The command said the operation began at 2:00 p.m. US Eastern Time and was aimed at further degrading Iran's military capabilities. Iranian state television confirmed that US missiles struck the southern Bandar Abbas area, while Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Chabahar and Konarak. The strikes came hours after blasts were reported near Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas port, according to Iranian media. US Central Command said it had expanded the operations to northern Iran, indicating a shift to new targets amid ongoing fighting around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles and drones at Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, the Iranian side said.