Tehran [Iran], July 10: The United States launched strikes on Iran for a second consecutive night, with Iranian authorities on Thursday reporting several people killed and injured.
Iran's government press office said at least 14 people had been killed and another 78 injured in the latest US attacks, adding that 47 people are still being treated in hospital. It reported attacks in five provinces.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the region, said it struck about 90 Iranian military targets, "including air defence systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran's coastline." The military said the operation was intended to limit Iran's capacity to interfere with maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it responded by attacking US bases in the Gulf states of Kuwait and Bahrain, while Jordan's armed forces said they had downed eight missiles launched by Iran. Missile fragments had come down on Jordanian territory, but no injuries or damage were reported, the armed forces said.
Kuwait's armed forces said the country had been targeted by three missiles, 10 drones and a cruise missile, all of which had been intercepted. One person was reported injured, and fallen debris caused damage in some areas, they said. Warning sirens sounded again in Bahrain on Thursday morning, according to the Interior Ministry, which said residents had been advised to remain calm and seek shelter.
On Thursday, a report by Iranian state radio said Iran's armed forces had also attacked US destroyers and ships off the coast of Bahrain with cruise missiles, citing official sources.
The latest strikes followed US attacks on more than 80 targets across Iran the previous night, which Washington said were carried out in response to attacks on commercial vessels.
The attacks came as Iran prepared to bury its late supreme leader, ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the north-eastern city of Mashhad on Thursday after several days of mourning events. Iran's state news agency IRNA said a section of the railway linking Tehran and Mashhad was bombed in the overnight attacks, suspending services between the two cities while repairs are carried out.
It was initially unclear whether the closure of the line had affected pilgrims travelling to Mashhad for the burial.
Source: Qatar Tribune
