US airstrikes on Iran kill 17, wound 115 amid escalating conflict

The United States launched a third wave of airstrikes against Iran on July 8‑9, targeting roughly 90 military sites including air‑defence systems, missile depots and naval infrastructure in the country’s south. Iran’s Health Ministry reported that the attacks killed at least 17 people – including one woman – and injured 115 across six cities: Bandar Abbas, Iranshahr, Konarak, Chabahar, Bushehr and Aq Qala. Hospital officials said 14 surgeries were performed and 102 patients have already been discharged.

The strikes were presented by CENTCOM as retaliation for an alleged Iranian attack on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran accused Washington of violating a June memorandum that had paused hostilities, and President Donald Trump declared the cease‑fire over. Iran’s UN representative urged the Security Council to stop the U.S. aggression, while Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Oman to discuss safe passage through the Strait.

Both sides have exchanged fire in the wider region, with reports of missile interceptions in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The escalation raises concerns over the security of the Strait, through which a fifth of global oil and gas passes, and may affect international energy markets.