US Completes Another Wave of Strikes on Iran Amid Rising Tensions and Drone Retaliation

The United States military conducted another series of strikes against Iranian targets overnight Wednesday, expanding the scope of attacks reportedly reaching Tehran and Tabriz, where Iranian air defense systems were activated. In response, Iran launched drones targeting American forces stationed at Camp Doha in western Kuwait, which Tehran claims hosts US troops and equipment. The Iranian Army's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command warned that any US attack on nuclear facilities would make American interests and allies targets.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes focused on Iranian military operations centers, naval capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. CENTCOM stated that over the past three months, Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels in a critical international shipping route, endangering innocent sailors and threatening freedom of navigation. Despite Iranian aggression, the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial shipping, with CENTCOM assisting the transit of approximately 900 commercial ships and 450 million barrels of crude oil since early May.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed openness to negotiations over the Middle East conflict but criticized Iran as unserious. He warned that blocking international shipping lanes sets a dangerous precedent that could affect global economies, including in Asia. Meanwhile, Israel's security cabinet held a meeting to discuss Iran and prepare for potential conflict scenarios, including full Israeli involvement, coordinated US-Israel operations, or US-only actions. Israeli Defense and political officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, emphasized the preference for a coordinated and aggressive US-led approach rather than partial engagement.

A senior Israeli officer noted satisfaction with the current situation where the US conducts daily strikes while Israel remains on the sidelines, though Israel would prefer to resume fighting Iran. Smotrich reiterated Israel's current lack of interest in joining the conflict, calling the ongoing limited US-Iran confrontation the most favorable scenario for Israel. He stressed that Israel's ultimate goal is to destabilize and weaken the Iranian regime, which may not fully align with US objectives.