US Expands Airstrikes Near Tehran Amid Rising Tensions with Iran

The conflict between the United States and Iran escalated further as US military forces conducted airstrikes near Tehran for the first time during the current round of hostilities. According to an AP report on the night between Wednesday and Thursday, US attacks extended north beyond the Strait of Hormuz to areas surrounding Iran's capital. Iranian media reported activation of air defense systems in Tehran. Later, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced completion of another wave of strikes on Iranian targets, including command centers, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, surveillance facilities along the coast, and locations near Bandar Abbas, all ordered by President Donald Trump.

Simultaneously, Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed retaliatory attacks on US bases in the region. Iranian reports stated that a radar installation at a US base in Kuwait was hit with missiles and drones, alongside strikes on military communications and fuel storage at a US base in Jordan. Bahrain experienced air raid sirens overnight, and Kuwait's military activated air defenses due to hostile drone threats.

Earlier, CENTCOM reported disabling an Iranian-bound oil tanker that ignored repeated warnings and attempted to breach the US naval blockade. A US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles at the tanker’s funnel, rendering it inoperative.

In a related development, President Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran released an American citizen detained since 2024. CNN identified her as Dana Karari, an American-Iranian who had been barred from leaving Iran. Her lawyer confirmed her release and expressed gratitude to the US administration for their efforts.