U.S. strikes Iran and Tehran fires back as hostilities flare again - The Hindu

**U.S. Strikes Iran and Tehran Fires Back as Hostilities Flare Again**

Washington announced a series of air‑strikes on Iranian military installations on Tuesday, saying the attacks were a direct response to “attempted attacks” against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Central Command identified the targets as missile‑launch sites and command‑and‑control facilities in the provinces of Khuzestan and Bushehr, which it said had been used to coordinate hostile actions against American‑flagged vessels. The Pentagon released footage of precision‑guided munitions striking the sites, and a senior defense official warned that any further aggression would meet “decisive and proportionate” U.S. retaliation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) quickly denounced the U.S. operation, labeling it an “unprovoked act of aggression.” Within hours, Iranian forces launched a barrage of short‑range ballistic missiles and swarms of attack drones toward U.S. bases in the region, including Al‑Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Iranian state media reported that several missiles were intercepted by U.S. and allied air defenses, but claimed that “the enemy suffered significant material losses.” No confirmed U.S. casualties were reported, though the Iranian side said it had inflicted damage on “critical infrastructure.” Tehran’s foreign ministry summoned the U.S. ambassador in Tehran to lodge a formal protest and warned of “further necessary measures” if the United States does not cease its “imperialistic actions.”

The renewed exchange comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and its support for proxy groups across the Middle East. European allies, including the United Kingdom and France, called for restraint and urged both parties to return to diplomatic channels, while the United Nations Secretary‑General expressed deep concern over the risk of a broader regional conflict. Analysts note that the strikes mark the first U.S. offensive against Iranian territory in a month, raising questions about the durability of the tacit cease‑fire that had held since the 2020 drone incident. Both Washington and Tehran have signaled a willingness to engage in back‑channel talks, but the immediate outlook remains volatile as each side assesses the next steps.