US hits Iran for eighth consecutive night, Iran returns fire on Gulf bases
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- US Central Command launched strikes on Iran for the eighth consecutive night on Sunday, hitting Sirik in Hormozgan province, Qeshm Island, and Shadegan in Khuzestan province, targeting "coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities, and missile and drone storage sites" to degrade Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The strikes were retaliation for an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on a US base in Jordan on Friday that killed two American service members, left one missing and four requiring hospitalization, per CENTCOM.
- Iran's army struck back at US assets in Kuwait, targeting an ammunition depot at Al-Adiri camp and Patriot radar at Ali Al Salem base, per a statement from Iran's military.
- Since the war began in February, 16 US service members have been killed and more than 430 wounded, while Iranian authorities say at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 wounded in US strikes over the past three weeks.
- US strikes have widened beyond military targets to civilian infrastructure: the Bonji desalination plant was destroyed, cutting water supplies to about 10,000 people, and a desalination plant on strategic Qeshm Island was also damaged.
- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state television the US is violating terms of the interim deal and "no longer implementing them," while Iran's supreme leader warned of "unforgettable lessons" if attacks continued.
Why it matters: The conflict has expanded from control of the Strait of Hormuz to reciprocal strikes on each other's regional bases and on civilian infrastructure — a destroyed desalination plant cut water to 10,000 people. Iran's deputy foreign minister declared the interim deal no longer in effect, removing the diplomatic off-ramp while combined casualties climb: 16 US service members killed since February and at least 50 Iranians killed in three weeks.
