US‑Iran conflict escalates with 12th night of US strikes
The United States has carried out a dozen consecutive nights of air strikes against Iran, targeting naval facilities, missile and drone storage sites, coastal surveillance stations and air‑defence assets, according to Central Command. For the first time a B‑1 long‑range bomber launched from the United Kingdom was used in the campaign. President Donald Trump warned that the United States would destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant each time Tehran attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by striking U.S. bases in Jordan and Kuwait, claiming destruction of a THAAD radar, a Patriot system and other facilities, while also announcing that a southern route of the Strait of Hormuz had been mined. Three oil tankers allegedly exploded while attempting the mined route. The conflict has caused civilian casualties in Iran’s Khuzestan province (two dead, multiple injured) and U.S. troop deaths have risen to 18. The U.S. House approved a $95 billion supplemental fund to support Middle‑East operations.