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13th Night Escalation
The United States carried out a 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, with Iranian state media reporting that four people were killed and five injured in an attack in the south-west, and with US strikes reported in multiple regions of Iran early Friday.
“At least four people have been killed in Iran after the United States military bombed the country for the 13th consecutive night, according to Iranian state media reports”
Iran said it carried out drone strikes on US military facilities and bases across the Middle East in retaliation for the 13th consecutive night of American attacks, and Iranian state media reported air defense systems were activated in Tehran to counter what they described as a "hostile" threat.
In the south, Khuzestan Deputy Governor for Security Affairs Valiollah Hayati said, according to state broadcaster IRIB, that "Points around the city of Ahvaz were attacked by the US terrorist army with missiles a few minutes ago," while the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported powerful explosions heard around 2.20 am local time.
The BBC reported that Iran later announced strikes on US-allied Kuwait, while sirens sounded in Bahrain and Jordan, and flights were suspended at a major Iraqi airport after a reported drone crash.
The Tribune also said Bahrain activated its sirens early Friday after the US military said it had wrapped up its 13th night of strikes against Iran, as the US and Iran exchanged escalating strikes over the Strait of Hormuz.
Threats, Sirens, and Drones
President Donald Trump threatened Iran and its Houthi allies in Yemen with "major military punishment" Thursday if the Houthis launch more attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, as the war expanded to another part of the region.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran would hold accountable any country assisting the United States in an attack on the Islamic republic, adding that "Any participation, cooperation or assistance in committing aggression against Iran will create international responsibility for the relevant parties,".
Iran’s army said it attacked U.S. bases in Bahrain and Jordan with drone strikes, claiming that "This morning, the fuel tanks, large equipment warehouses and silos and the barracks of the U.S. terrorist army forces at the Isa Air Base in Bahrain were targeted" by Arash kamikaze drones.
The BBC reported that Trump said damages to ships and cargo in the Strait of Hormuz would be paid for by "Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls," while Araghchi responded that seizing another country's assets to "pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent".
In Bahrain, the BBC said sirens sounded and flights were suspended at a major Iraqi airport after a reported drone crash, while the Tribune reported Bahrain activated its sirens early Friday to shelter from detected fire.
Strait of Hormuz Stakes
The Tribune said the latest barrage was designed to "further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters," as the Americans push to regain control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Tribune also said the Houthis threatened to shut down another key trade route at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and it cited maritime data and analysis firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence saying the Houthi attacks present a "double whammy" on top of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
The BBC reported that the US and Iran agreed on a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June to halt military operations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and it said Trump declared the ceasefire "over" three weeks after it was signed.
Point 11 of the MoU detailed that the "United States of America undertakes to make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran," and the BBC said Iran condemned the US plan to use frozen Iranian assets to pay for war damages.
The BBC added that the BBC understands the US and UK are set to hold a conference in London next week to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine attending.
