7 killed, 16 wounded in fresh US strikes against S. Iran

TEHRAN - At least seven people were killed and 16 others were wounded Thursday night in a new wave of US strikes on bridges and residential areas in southern Iran, local media reported.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that the death toll has risen to seven from the US attack on the Bandar-e Khamir bridge in Hormozgan province. The attack also left nine people injured, who are currently receiving treatment from emergency services and medical staff.

In addition, a US strike against a residential area, named Allaho Akbar, in the port city of Bandar Abbas left seven people wounded, the IRIB reported, adding a telecommunications tower was also targeted in the city.

The IRIB also reported six consecutive explosions near Hamidiyeh County in the southwestern Khuzestan province, as well as three explosions near an airport in Iranshahr County in the southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province. At least one US projectile hit the airport, it added.

Earlier, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported US strikes hitting Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Ahvaz, and Bushehr in southern Iran on Thursday night.

The US Central Command said on X that the US forces have completed their latest round of airstrikes targeting Iran, the sixth consecutive night of strikes, at 9:40 pm ET (0140 GMT) on Thursday.

US forces, including fighter jets, aerial drones, and warships, launched precision munitions that hit dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense sites, military logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities, it said.

CENTCOM is further degrading Iranian military capabilities and holding Iran accountable for recent attacks on commercial shipping, it said, adding that more than 50,000 US service members are operating across the Middle East and "remain vigilant, lethal, and ready."

The developments followed days of clashes between Iran and the United States, despite a peace memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries in mid-June, under which they were expected to begin negotiations within 60 days toward a final agreement.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would expand its strikes on Iran to target power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran agrees to negotiate.

Trump told Fox that his representatives had been in contact with Iranian officials recently. When asked what message was delivered to Iran, Trump said: "You better make a deal. You're not going to have anything left."

Despite the renewed hostilities, the White House said on Thursday that talks between the United States and Iran were ongoing.

"We're talking to them. But again, the President is not going to allow them to fire on ships in the strait without paying a consequence for that," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a press conference.

"They (The Iranians) have expressed they still want to make a deal with the President," she added.

On Wednesday, Trump thanked Iran for releasing a US citizen who had been detained since December 2024, a move seen as a possible diplomatic opening.