Iran has launched drones and missiles against Gulf states including Kuwait and Bahrain as well as Jordan [Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images]
The United States military said Thursday it was attacking Iran for the 13th night in a row, as escalation between the two countries continues.
“US forces started another night of strikes against Iranian military targets at 6:45 p.m. ET (2245 GMT) today,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, adding that the “strikes aimed to hold Iran accountable and diminish threats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping.”
Iranian media reported explosions across several areas of the country, including multiple explosions in Ahvaz, an explosion in Bandar Abbas and an explosion on Qeshm Island.
Alongside the airstrikes, Trump has said that the US would begin using frozen Iranian assets to pay for ships and cargo damaged by strikes in and around the Gulf.
“Please let this statement serve to represent, until further notice, that from this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls,” Trump said on Truth social.
He also told US media outlet Axios on Thursday that “I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it.”
US and Iranian strikes in the region have been steadily increasing since the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding that saw a ceasefire between the two.
Alongside US strikes on Iran, Iran has launched drones and missiles against Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan as part of its retaliation.
In Israel, which launched the war on Iran on 28 February alongside the US, security officials have said that they are preparing for all scenarios, with some municipalities opening up public bomb shelters, though Israeli home command has not issued any change in guidance to citizens.
The country’s defence minister, Israel Katz, warned Iran would “suffer a crushing blow,” in the event of any attacks on it.
Trump also told Axios on Thursday that Israel “would join in two minutes if I ask them to,” but said they weren’t needed for such an operation.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, himself issued warnings to the US, accusing US officials of burying their heads in the sand in a post on X.
“The mindless aggression they advocate will only ensure that POTUS pays heavier price for [the] deal he’s trying to achieve,” he added.
