US airstrikes kill over 30 civilians in Iran's southern region
The United States carried out repeated airstrikes in southern Iran, killing more than 30 civilians and seven Iranian soldiers, according to Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani. The attacks targeted the city of Ahvaz, where a pediatric oncology hospital was damaged and 211 children were evacuated, and also struck the Semnan civilian airport.
The bombing campaign has halted commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with only thirteen merchant vessels reported, intensifying concerns over global oil supplies. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would be "defeated soon" and threatened further strikes on bridges and power plants unless Tehran returns to negotiations. Iran has responded with drone attacks on U.S.‑aligned sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, while Pakistan has urged both sides to resume diplomatic talks.
The escalating conflict follows the July 7 attacks on Gulf shipping attributed to Iran and has raised the risk of wider regional instability.