Lead

Iran said it launched fresh attacks on US facilities in the Gulf on Friday after a sixth consecutive night of US strikes on Iranian military facilities, as last month’s truce descended into daily attacks and counterattacks, according to reports by Al Jazeera and Dawn.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera reported that the US military said it initiated its latest round of attacks at 18:00 GMT on Thursday, with strikes targeting infrastructure in Iran’s south. Iranian media reported explosions and attacks in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Iranshahr and Bandar-e Khamir. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported a US missile attack targeted an airport in Iranshahr and an “enemy” attack hit a communications tower in Bandar Abbas, cutting off power. Iran’s Fars news agency reported a suspected US attack on a bridge in Bandar-e Khamir.

Dawn reported that the US military said it completed another night of strikes on Iran “to further degrade Iranian military capabilities,” including on Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas, home to Iran’s largest port and key navy and Revolutionary Guards facilities. US Central Command said in a statement that US forces, including fighter jets, aerial drones and warships, launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities.

Key Claims

  • The US has continued its attacks against Iran for a sixth consecutive night, with strikes targeting infrastructure in the country’s south, according to Al Jazeera.
  • Iranian media reported explosions and attacks in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Iranshahr and Bandar-e Khamir, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • US President Donald Trump threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges if the country did not return to the negotiating table, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Iranian Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari threatened that any US attack on Iranian infrastructure would be met with a “crushing blow” on regional infrastructure, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Iran launched fresh attacks on US facilities in the Gulf on Friday after a sixth consecutive night of US strikes on Iranian military facilities, as reported by Dawn.
  • Seven people were killed in US attacks on bridges in Bandar Khamir, a port city in southern Iran, according to state news agency IRNA, as reported by Dawn.
  • Shipping halted again in the Strait of Hormuz due to the escalation of the conflict, as reported by Dawn.
  • Tehran resumed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and Washington blockaded Iranian ports from Wednesday, as reported by Dawn.
  • Iran intends to charge passage fees for ships using the Strait of Hormuz at the end of a 60-day negotiation period set in last month’s memorandum, as reported by Dawn.
  • US President Donald Trump is “always open to diplomacy” despite the ongoing conflict with Iran, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

United States

The US military said it initiated the latest round of strikes to “further degrade Iranian military capabilities.” President Trump has threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges if Iran does not return to the negotiating table, while also stating he is “always open to diplomacy.”

Iran

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed an attack on an airbase used by US forces in Bahrain, calling it a response to a “barbaric” US attack that forced the evacuation of a children’s cancer hospital in Ahvaz. The IRGC also claimed further attacks on Kuwait and Jordan. Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned Iran’s attacks “will spread to new areas” if the US attacks continue. Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari threatened a “crushing blow” on regional infrastructure in response to any US attack on Iranian infrastructure.

Gulf States

Kuwait’s army said Iran’s attacks included 32 drones and targeted vital facilities, causing material damage. In Qatar, several explosion-like sounds were heard in Doha, and the Ministry of the Interior said a child was injured by shrapnel.