The United States struck Iranian military targets on Sunday in retaliation for the deaths of American troops killed in Jordan on Friday. Iran responded by launching missiles toward Jordan, raising fears that the conflict could spread into Israeli territory for the first time in weeks.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated dramatically since a ceasefire agreement collapsed last month. The two nations now edge closer to direct confrontation as each side targets infrastructure vital to millions of civilians.
U.S. military operations, now in their second week, have focused on Iran's Revolutionary Guard corps. American forces have struck bridges, water treatment plants and power stations across Iran.
Tehran has retaliated by attacking U.S. allies throughout the Middle East region. Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain all activated air defence systems as Iranian drones and missiles approached their airspace.
The U.S. Central Command said Sunday's strikes hit "Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defence facilities, maritime capabilities and missile and drone storage sites." The operation aimed to weaken Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces, the military said.
Footage released by American forces showed fighter jets and Tomahawk cruise missiles striking targets. One site appeared nestled in a mountainous valley where the Guard frequently positions missile bases and other military equipment.
Iran's atomic energy agency claimed U.S. warplanes targeted a nuclear power plant construction site in the southwest, state television reported. Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC showed the Darkhovin facility had undergone earth clearing but little actual construction as of July 9.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the site "contained no nuclear material" during its last inspection and remains in "very early stages of construction." Iran had not previously disclosed that the plant was hit.
Jordan's military said it successfully intercepted several Iranian missiles. The country hosts major American military bases and relies on U.S. air-defence systems to protect its territory.
No casualties or damage occurred in Jordan from the missile attacks, Jordan's military confirmed. The country later summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires to lodge an official protest.
Israel's military warned that missiles fired at the Jordanian port city of Aqaba could drift across the border. The warning prompted the first air-raid sirens in weeks for Eilat, Israel's southern city neighbouring Aqaba.
Security officials in Eilat said two interceptors were launched from the city's outskirts to destroy falling debris. "We are prepared to immediately resume combat," Israeli military chief of staff Lt.
Gen. Eyal Zamir said.
During recent fighting, Iran has primarily targeted U.S.-allied Arab nations rather than Israel, which launched the war with America on February 28. This approach reflects Tehran's strategy of avoiding direct confrontation with Israeli forces.
Kuwait reported that one of its power and water desalination plants came under attack for the second time in two days, triggering fires at the facility. The nation's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said the power grid remained stable despite the assault.
About 90% of Kuwait's drinking water comes from desalination plants. The repeated strikes on these facilities threaten the country's water security and civilian population.
