America and Iran traded a few of their heaviest fireplace since final month’s ceasefire settlement, however the newest spherical of combating has uncovered simply how badly Tehran is struggling to match American firepower.
U.S. forces have landed many of the blows within the newest volley, pounding roughly 170 targets over two days whereas Iran’s retaliatory strikes on U.S.-linked bases within the Center East had been restricted and largely intercepted by air defenses.
The U.S. army mentioned its strikes focused Iranian army infrastructure tied to Tehran’s assaults on industrial delivery within the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran, in the meantime, launched missiles and drones at army targets in a number of Gulf international locations, together with Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.
Hossein Kermanpour, a spokesman for Iran’s Well being Ministry, mentioned on social media Thursday that U.S. airstrikes throughout 5 provinces killed 14 folks and injured 78.
No deaths have been reported from Iran’s newest strikes, which Tehran mentioned had been retaliation for American assaults.
The lopsided alternate underscores Iran’s weakened army place after months of combating, degraded air defenses and restricted skill to hit again on the world’s strongest army.
However Tehran has nonetheless discovered one option to trigger ache: threatening the worldwide financial system by squeezing delivery by the Strait of Hormuz.
The slender waterway stays one of many world’s most essential vitality routes, and Iran’s skill to menace ships there offers the regime leverage whilst American bombs hammer its army infrastructure.
U.S. Central Command mentioned American forces struck targets throughout Iran, together with army property in port cities, in an effort to degrade Iran’s skill to assault industrial vessels within the strait.
🚨 JUST IN: The Pentagon releases movies of American forces OBLITERATING over 90 TARGETS in Iran tonight in retaliation for the regime’s assaults on civilian vessels
That is in ADDITION to the 80 targets hit final night time by U.S. forces.
Tonight’s strikes included “air protection… pic.twitter.com/DV9xVQbYDd
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 9, 2026
On-line video verified by The New York Instances confirmed injury to a railway bridge close to the Iranian metropolis of Agh Qala.
Iranian officers additionally mentioned U.S. forces struck one other railway line connecting Tehran to the northeastern metropolis of Mashhad.
In Jordan, Iran’s army mentioned its ballistic missiles focused Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, a Jordanian facility additionally utilized by U.S. forces.
Jordan’s army mentioned it intercepted eight missiles in its airspace and that they triggered no materials injury.
In Kuwait, Iranian state media mentioned Iran’s armed forces focused army bases.
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Kuwait mentioned it intercepted three ballistic missiles, a cruise missile and 10 drones early Thursday.
Officers mentioned falling particles injured one particular person and triggered materials injury.
In Bahrain, the nation’s army mentioned it intercepted and destroyed a number of drones and missiles after Iran launched assaults Thursday.
Iran additionally mentioned it attacked Qatar, a key mediator in talks between Tehran and Washington.
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Qatari authorities didn’t verify any strikes, however they issued a public safety alert early Thursday morning earlier than later lifting it.
The Iranian assaults on Gulf Arab international locations triggered restricted destruction, however they nonetheless carry severe penalties.
For international locations that promote themselves as protected havens for enterprise, tourism and vitality funding, even intercepted missiles can rattle confidence.
The battle has already shaken the area’s sense of safety, hit energy-dependent economies and compelled some governments to rethink their protection methods.
