The military escalation between the United States and Iran entered its sixth day, with the scope of U.S. strikes expanding to include new strategic provinces and locations within Iranian territory. Washington continues targeting Iran's military infrastructure and increasing its naval blockade on Gulf ports.
U.S. operations now range from the vicinity of Tehran to the provinces of Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Markazi. Strikes targeted the Semnan airport, locations in Bandar Abbas, the islands of Greater Tunb and Qeshm, and areas in Ahvaz, Chabahar, Rask, and Khondab.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that operations aimed at command centers, air defense systems, and missile and drone sites, intending to reduce Iran's capabilities used in attacking commercial ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, alongside resuming the naval blockade on Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran.
In Semnan province, Iranian media reported activating air defenses, while parts of Semnan airport were struck, noting the area houses facilities related to Iran's missile tests and space programs.
In the south, U.S. strikes targeted military sites in Bandar Abbas and missile platforms on Greater Tunb Island, while other attacks hit coastal areas in Sirik and Qeshm Island, with Iranian authorities reporting damage to industrial facilities.
Khuzestan province saw explosions in Ahvaz, prompting authorities to evacuate Baqaei Hospital after projectiles landed nearby, though the building was not directly hit. In Andimeshk, the Revolutionary Guard announced downing a U.S. MQ-9 drone, which Washington did not confirm.
Strikes also stretched into Sistan and Baluchestan, hitting Rask city and Chabahar's coastal surroundings, while projectiles targeted Khondab in Markazi for the third consecutive time in days.
Parallel to the strikes in Iran, regional confrontations widened, with Iran launching attacks on sites in Jordan, where Jordanian Armed Forces confirmed intercepting Iranian missiles without casualties.
In Kuwait, the Ministry of Defense reported attacks on border centers and an offshore drilling platform, alongside intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles and drones targeting critical and military installations. Bahrain also announced intercepting several Iranian air attacks with no human casualties.
In Iraqi Kurdistan, eight attack drones were shot down over Erbil, while the confrontation extended to the sea with U.S. forces targeting a ship allegedly attempting to breach the naval blockade on Iranian ports.
U.S. officials view the current strikes as a preliminary phase to weaken Iranian defenses and expand military options available to President Donald Trump should more intensive operations be decided upon in the future.
This escalation follows the collapse of a memorandum aimed to cease hostilities between Washington and Tehran, amid ongoing strike exchanges and growing concerns over the conflict's expansion and its impact on regional security, navigation, and global energy supplies.