Intense conflict erupts between Iran and America, 11 Iranian civilians killed in US attack
US President Trump has warned of even more devastating strikes ahead.
After several weeks of the most significant military clashes between the United States and Iran, both countries have once again entered the battlefield on Wednesday. Washington has warned of even more devastating attacks. Meanwhile, Iran has alleged that a U.S. strike targeted a wedding ceremony, resulting in the deaths of 4 civilians and injuries to dozens. According to Times Of Israel, two locations near the cities of Ahvaz and Aghajari in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province were hit by missile attacks, with 7 people killed in U.S. missile strikes at three locations in Khuzestan province.
Iran has claimed that 11 people died in U.S. attacks on its territory. This information emerged after a new attack in the southwestern province of Khuzestan, according to state media. The state news agency IRNA quoted the deputy governor for security and law enforcement affairs in Khuzestan province as saying, “Seven people died and eight others were injured in U.S. missile strikes at three locations in the province last night.”
Earlier, the Iranian Red Crescent reported that a U.S. attack on a wedding ceremony in southern Sirik County resulted in the deaths of four people, including a child, and injuries to over 50 others. However, these figures for the dead and injured have not been independently verified.
According to Reuters, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that a series of strikes were carried out on several sites linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday. These included air defense centers, radar systems, naval military resources, sites capable of laying mines, and communication centers.
According to Iranian media, attacks occurred at multiple locations across the country on Tuesday. Many of these sites were located near Hormuz. Iran has consistently warned oil tankers passing through this narrow maritime route without its permission.
In retaliation, Iran claimed to have attacked U.S. bases in Jordan and Iraq. Iranian media also reported an attack on Bahrain. The IRGC claimed that a large number of U.S. soldiers were killed in Jordan, but two U.S. officials told Reuters that initial assessments indicated no casualties.
The Jordanian military stated that its air defense system engaged 13 ballistic missiles that entered its airspace. Ten of these missiles were destroyed in mid-air, while three fell in remote areas. Bahrain also reported that an Iranian drone was intercepted and destroyed.
IRGC also claimed that its ground forces carried out a combined missile and drone attack on U.S. military bases located in Erbil, northern Iraq, resulting in several U.S. soldiers being killed. However, neither Iraq nor the U.S. has confirmed this attack or the resulting damage.
This is the first serious military clash since July. It marks the end of a period during which both sides had avoided direct attacks, but there has been no solid interest in returning to the negotiating table.
This temporary peace was established at a time when war appeared to be weakening the capabilities of both countries. The already crisis-stricken Iranian economy has suffered heavily due to the war, and its conventional military capacity has significantly diminished. On the other hand, U.S. President Donald Trump is facing pressure from rising fuel prices ahead of the parliamentary elections in November. Reuters reported last month that the U.S. military has used a large portion of its highly accurate long-range missile stockpile, raising concerns about its military preparedness for potential future conflicts.
The U.S. military reported that the attacks began at 12 PM U.S. time on Tuesday. They targeted “air defense bases, radar systems, naval assets and facilities, mine-laying capabilities, and communication bases” linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). CENTCOM posted on X at 6:33 PM on Tuesday that this phase of the attacks was complete.
President Donald Trump warned Iran that,
if it takes any action in response to U.S. attacks, America will carry out even more severe military actions. However, he also stated that the U.S. is currently “holding back the biggest attack.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday,
“They will be targeted again at a much tougher and higher level. But this will not be the biggest attack. That attack is waiting, and when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Iran immediately threatened to respond “decisively.” Iran also claimed that,
a U.S. attack targeted a wedding ceremony in southern Iran, resulting in the deaths of four people, including a small child, and injuries to around 50 others.
This new round of attacks comes at a time when officials in the Trump administration had previously indicated that the U.S. was planning to shift away from military operations and increase economic pressure. The U.S. Treasury Secretary also mentioned this strategy during the G20 finance ministers' meeting held in North Carolina on Tuesday.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday night,
“I don’t care if they sign a worthless agreement or not. I like our current position much better, where we have almost total control over Hormuz and their economy is completely collapsing.” He further stated, “I am not pressuring Iran to come to the negotiating table.”