Day 140 | Sixth night of US strikes as Iran vows retaliation and targets US assets
Latest Developments:
- The US military says it carried out a sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, with Iranian media reporting explosions in Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz and Iranshahr as the campaign intensifies.
- Iran's military has warned that "all infrastructure in the region will be crushed under steel blows" if Washington follows through on threats to attack what Tehran describes as civilian sites.
- The US military says it disabled an oil tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port in the Strait of Hormuz by firing Hellfire missiles after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated warnings.
- Iran says it has launched retaliatory attacks allegedly targeting US assets in the region, as the exchange of strikes raises fears of a broader regional conflict.
VIDEO - Kuwait activates sirens following missile and drone attacks
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense says it intercepted missile attack
In a statement shared on X, the Ministry of Defense said its armed forces intercepted a missile attack which targeted Qatar.
Blasts heard in Qatar capital Doha: AFP
AFP journalists in Doha reported hearing several blasts early Friday.
A public safety alert warned the security threat level was "elevated" and urged residents to take shelter.
Bahrain, Kuwait report missile and drone attacks as regional tensions escalate
Bahrain and Kuwait reported responding to missile and drone attacks on Friday, as tensions in the Gulf intensified following new US strikes on Iran.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said early Friday that air raid sirens were activated after Iranian missiles and drones were detected entering the country’s airspace.
The ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm, move to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels.
In Kuwait, the country’s military said its air defenses were responding to “hostile missile and drone attacks” following what it described as “Iranian aggression.”
The Kuwaiti General Staff said any explosions heard were the result of air defense systems intercepting the incoming attacks, while urging the public to follow security and safety instructions.
The alerts in Kuwait coincided with a statement by Iran’s military saying it had targeted “American centers and equipment” in Bahrain using drones.
Kuwait says responding to missile, drone attacks
Kuwait said Friday it was responding to missile and drone attacks, a day after the Gulf nation faced aerial attacks from Iran.
"Kuwaiti air defenses are currently engaging hostile missiles and drone attacks following the nefarious Iranian aggression," the army wrote on X.
In Bahrain, the interior ministry said that a siren had been sounded, urging citizens to take shelter.
Iranian state media said the Islamic republic's army was targeting US helicopters and planes at an air base in Bahrain "in response to the enemy's hostile action in targeting urban infrastructure and innocent people".
US Marines board tanker in Gulf of Oman amid Iran blockade
US Central Command says US Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the commercial tanker M/T Wen Yao in the Gulf of Oman on July 16 to verify compliance with the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran.
CENTCOM said US forces have redirected three commercial vessels, disabled one that allegedly failed to comply, and boarded another, adding that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping except for vessels it says are attempting to breach the blockade.
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Read more: Day 139 | US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Tehran vows retaliation
