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Iran Strikes U.S. Bases in Kuwait; U.S. and Iran Exchange Strikes
The United States widened its strikes on Iran on Monday to hit central and northern provinces, including areas near a nuclear power plant. The attacks marked the eighth consecutive night of U.S. operations and came alongside Iranian drone strikes on U.S. sites in Kuwait.
Jul 18, 11:13 PM·1m read17 sources
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The United States expanded the scope of its strikes on Iran on Monday, targeting provinces in the center and north of the country for the first time since the current campaign began. Strikes reached areas including a city that hosts a nuclear power plant, according to Iranian state media and local authorities.
U.S. Central Command said its forces struck sites on Qeshm Island and near Shadegan in Khuzestan province. At least two explosions were reported on the island during the eighth straight night of operations. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that two oil tankers exploded and were immobilized in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s army launched a large-scale drone attack on two U.S. military facilities in Kuwait, striking an ammunition depot at Camp Al Adiri and Patriot and air-defense radars at Ali Al Salem airbase. Major General Ali Abdullahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said any aggression would be met with a decisive and devastating response.
He described the U.S. as the Great Satan and the criminal, treacherous and deceitful enemy, and pledged to strengthen unity between Iran’s armed forces, the public and officials while imposing heavier costs. The U.S. State Department urged Americans traveling anywhere in the world to exercise increased caution because of heightened tensions in the Middle East and the possibility of unforeseen escalation.
The United States reinforced its naval blockade on Iran’s southern ports after rescinding earlier oil and banking waivers. U.S. Central Command redirected ships in the Strait of Hormuz and struck the Curacao-flagged supertanker Belma, which had been transporting Iranian crude.
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck the Saland area of Khuzestan province at a depth of about 12 kilometres, and two rescue teams were sent to villages near the epicentre.
Military said it targeted IRGC personnel after a Jordan base attack that left two U.S. service members dead and one missing. President Trump stated that the strikes hit Iran in honour of American soldiers killed.
