The new US attacks hit several locations along Iran’s southern coast, according to Iranian state-linked media. Reported strike areas included Bandar Abbas, Iran’s largest port city and a major naval and Revolutionary Guards hub, as well as Konarak and Chabahar. Iranian media also reported power disruption and damage to a maritime traffic control tower in Chabahar.
Explosions were also reported in Iranshahr, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency.
The Strait of Hormuz has become central to the conflict because of its role in global energy flows. Before the war began with US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, about one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies passed through the strait, giving Tehran significant leverage over energy markets and maritime security.
The renewed confrontation also fed into oil market concerns. Brent crude rose by more than US$1 a barrel in post-settlement trading after the latest strikes, reaching US$79.28 a barrel, although prices remained far below their late-April peak of more than US$120.
Iranian officials and security-linked media signalled that further retaliation remained possible. Nournews, which is affiliated with Iran’s top security body, cited an Iranian military source as saying Tehran was preparing a major response against US Army bases in the region.
Before the latest US strikes, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of violating the June memorandum, arguing that the US action challenged Iran’s role in determining arrangements for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
A spokesperson for Iran’s parliament National Security Commission also said possible retaliation options included withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, changing Iran’s nuclear doctrine and closing the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, another key maritime route at the mouth of the Red Sea.