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US strikes Iran, Chabahar hit
The US military began a round of strikes in Iran on Wednesday evening, with explosions reported in southern regions including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Konarak, and Chabahar.
US Central Command said, "At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran," aiming to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian semi-official news agency Mehr reported that air defenses were activated in southern Iran after explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Konarak, and Chabahar.
Iranian state media, IRNA, reported that shrapnel from the US attacks struck a hospital and hit power lines in Chabahar, while semi-official Nour News added that Iranian armed forces were preparing to launch a "massive attack" on US army bases in the region.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the US attacks targeted a maritime traffic control tower and depot in the port city of Chabahar, as Trump said the strikes were "in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran."
Retaliation threats and hospital
Iranian media reported explosions across southern areas, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, Abu Musa Island, Bushehr, Kanarak, and Chabahar, with Iranian television reporting eight explosions in Bandar Abbas.
Mehr News Agency said air defense systems intercepted targets described as 'hostile' near Bandar Abbas, while reports spoke of power outages in parts of Chabahar following the explosions.
Iranian media said shrapnel from projectiles struck Imam Ali Hospital in Chabahar, and Noor News quoted an informed source saying the attack on Bushehr did not cause damage to the nuclear power plant.
In response to the latest US strikes, the IRGC warned it would launch a 'wide-scale' attack on American interests in the region, while Trump posted on Truth Social that "This is a response to Iran offensive against ships on Tuesday. If it happens again, the response will be much harsher."
The BBC reported that Trump signalled he’d "hit them hard again tonight" after an overnight exchange of attacks on Tuesday, and that Centcom said the strikes were carried out to "further degrade Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation" in the vital waterway.
Chabahar infrastructure and market risk
Iranian state media and IRNA reported that "Electricity has also been cut in parts of the city of Chabahar," adding that the incident was being investigated after the US launched another round of airstrikes.
Roya News English said state television and state news agencies reported fragments from US projectiles struck Imam Ali Hospital in the southern city of Chabahar, while Shafaq News reported that debris from attacks damaged a hospital in Chabahar and that the US struck a military base south of Bushehr city with two projectiles.
The port’s maritime traffic control and monitoring tower was reported damaged, with the head of the Chabahar Free Zone announcing the tower was damaged as a result of intensive air raids by American forces.
Gulf News reported that oil prices jumped after the United States launched military strikes on Iran's strategic port of Chabahar, and said Brent crude climbed 5.20% to $78.02 a barrel while WTI rose 1.41% to $74.56.
Gulf News also said the attack marked the first US military operation in the area since the April ceasefire and expanded the conflict beyond the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of wider supply disruptions and potential hits to key shipping lanes.
