Iranian officials say US airstrikes on southern Iran have killed four people, including a child, with one strike hitting a home where a wedding ceremony was being held. The attack in Kuhestak, in Hormozgan Province, killed two people and wounded at least 50 others, according to Ahmad Nafisi, the province's deputy governor, who spoke to Iranian state television in a phone call. Red Crescent rescue officials later said the death toll had risen to four, including a child.
Strikes across southern coastal areas
Explosions were reported across southern Iranian coastal areas, including Kuhestak and the port city of Bandar Abbas, which hosts naval and air force facilities. Iranian state media reported that civilian sites and a civilian airport had been hit.
The deadly strikes came after the US restarted attacks on Sunday following a month without military action. Witnesses in the area said the explosions on this day were stronger than those on Sunday, and smoke could be seen rising from areas on the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait of Hormuz tensions and US warnings
The US and Iran are both seeking control over the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran's coast through which 20% of the world's oil normally flows. Tehran effectively closed it after the war began.
US Central Command said the latest strikes were in response to Tehran trying to attack commercial ships and American forces in the Middle East. The renewed fighting came as American citizens in the Middle East were warned by the US government to expect flight cancellations in the region. Hours after the Consular warning was issued, President Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to threaten escalation.
“If the failed Nation of Iran retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings,” Trump warned on social media.
Iranian response and ceasefire offer
Iranian semi-official media said the country began firing missiles and drones in response to US strikes. News agencies reported late Tuesday that it had launched operations, and Iran's military command said the armed forces would deliver what they described as “crushing and devastating blows” against the United States.
Earlier Tuesday, before the latest strikes, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Islamic Republic would be ready to return to the interim ceasefire deal reached with the US in June if Washington does the same. “If the U.S. returns to its commitments in the memorandum of understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately reciprocate,” state media reported.
