Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes on US Targets in Gulf, Jordan

Tensions escalated between the United States and Iran as Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against American targets in the Persian Gulf and Jordan, following a series of U.S. strikes on southern Iran. Iran's Fars News Agency reported that its "response has begun" with Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeting "enemy positions." Reports also indicated ballistic missile and drone launches aimed at U.S. military sites in the Gulf, with conflicting accounts regarding launches toward Jordan. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed American forces were attacking Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, stating the strikes were in response to Iran's attempt to plant naval mines and a prior missile launch toward a U.S. base in Jordan, which he claimed was intercepted. Trump warned Iran of a significantly more powerful response if it retaliated.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards vowed severe retaliation, with a spokesperson stating the U.S. would "regret its new attacks." Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, quoted a senior military source indicating Iran's armed forces would respond with "several times" the force of the U.S. strikes. The joint military command of the Iranian Army and Revolutionary Guards also issued a harsh threat of "severe and crushing blows" against U.S. forces. Meanwhile, Iranian officials claimed the U.S. had made a "grave mistake" and fallen into an Iranian trap. There were also reports of civilian casualties in southern Iran from U.S. strikes hitting a wedding in Sirik, with at least four killed and over 30 seriously injured according to Reuters.

Jordanian authorities reported intercepting 10 out of 13 missiles launched by Iran toward the country, with three falling in open areas. Explosions were heard in Eilat, Israel, attributed to the launches toward Jordan, and interceptions were visible in the sky over Jordan. The Iranian military claimed to have downed a U.S. drone with a new air defense system deployed in southern Iran and reported the activation of air defense systems in Tehran. The Iranian Ministry of Health reported at least 50 injured from the U.S. strikes within Iran. A U.S. official described Iran's response as ineffective and claimed no U.S. casualties or significant damage, stating all incoming missiles were intercepted. Iranian media also reported a large-scale drone attack launched toward a U.S. military base in Bahrain.