US Pounds Iran for 12th Straight Night, Missiles Fly Across Middle East
Middle EastEdited by:Rounak BagchiUpdated Jul 23, 2026, 04:08 ISTPresident Trump warned of strikes against Iranian infrastructure if attacks on shipping occur, prompting Iranian officials to threaten a. . .
Middle EastEdited by:Rounak BagchiUpdated Jul 23, 2026, 04:08 ISTPresident Trump warned of strikes against Iranian infrastructure if attacks on shipping occur, prompting Iranian officials to threaten a decisive response. US attack on Iran have been continuing for the past twelve days. Photo :APThe United States on Wednesday carried out a twelfth consecutive night of military strikes against Iranian targets, as tensions across the Middle East continued to intensify. In a post on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the latest operation began at 17:30 ET at the direction of President Donald Trump. "At 5:30 pm ET today, US forces began launching more strikes against Iranian military targets at the Commander in Chief's direction. The mission will continue to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters," CENTCOM said. The US military did not specify which locations in Iran were targeted. Explosions Reported Across Southern IranIranian media reported explosions in several parts of the country following the strikes. Mehr News Agency, citing a Khuzestan provincial official, said an area near the city of Ahvaz had been targeted in a US missile attack. Separately, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported that two explosions were heard near Bushehr, while Press TV said additional blasts were reported in the southern town of Sirik. Iran RetaliatesThe latest US strikes came asIranian missiles and droneswere reportedly launched towards Jordan, including in the direction of the Red Sea port city of Aqaba, according to The Times of Israel. Jordan's military said it intercepted four missiles and four drones, adding that explosions heard in the country were caused by the interception of the incoming projectiles. Similar interceptions were also reported near Eilat in southern Israel, according to the Israeli news outlet. In Kuwait, the armed forces said air defences had been activated to intercept drones launched from Iran. "The General Staff of the Army confirms that the sounds of explosions heard are the result of the interception of hostile drones," the military said in a statement, urging the public to follow instructions issued by the authorities. Trump vs Iran Threats ContinueThe latest escalation followed a warning from President Trump that the US would strike Iranian civilian infrastructure if Iran attacked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Writing on Truth Social earlier on Wednesday, Trump said: "From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT. " He added that potential targets included infrastructure "located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran". Iranian officials responded with their own warnings. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media that Iran's defence doctrine was"eye for an eye",saying any attack on the country's infrastructure would trigger a "powerful and decisive response". Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is leading Iran's side in peace negotiations, said that if Iran was prevented from exporting its oil, no other country in the region would be able to do so. His remarks appeared to reference the recent Houthi announcement of a blockade targeting Saudi shipping in the Red Sea. The renewed exchange comes days after four US service members were killed in Jordan and Iraq, bringing the total number of American military personnel killed during the conflict to 18. Despite the casualties, Trump administration officials have publicly sought to downplay the impact of Iranian strikes on US military installations across the region. Rounak BagchiauthorRounak is a journalist with over 7 years of experience covering geopolitical and international affairs. He has a keen interest in research and explain. . . View MoreNewsWorld NewsMiddle EastEnd of Article