U.S. Strikes Hit Iranian Cities for Second Day

U.S. Central Command carried out air strikes on about 90 Iranian military targets on Thursday, following strikes on about 80 targets the previous night. Iranian media reported that some strikes also affected civilian infrastructure, including a fishing pier in Sirik and airport facilities in Iranshahr.

At least 14 people have been killed and 78 wounded across five Iranian provinces in the two days of attacks, according to Iranian health officials. One member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was among the dead.

Background to the strikes The strikes followed Iran's attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week. U.S. Central Command said the targets were chosen to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping. Iran responded with attacks on U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

Kuwait's defense ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted three ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and 10 suicide drones, and one person was injured by falling debris.

Status of the memorandum of understanding On Wednesday, President Trump said at the NATO summit in Ankara that the June 17 memorandum of understanding with Iran was over, though he indicated U.S. negotiators could continue talks for now. Washington also revoked a sanctions waiver on Iranian oil that had been part of the agreement.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to a near standstill, with about 6,000 sailors reported trapped in the area.