The United States has expanded its airstrike operations from Iran's southern coast to include areas around the capital, Tehran, and its interior. The U.S. also targeted tankers attempting to breach a maritime blockade, disrupting their operations.
According to Yonhap News and Iran's IRNA news agency, several strong explosions were heard early on July 16 in the western Iranian provinces of Lorestan, Markazi, and Semnan.
These regions are home to Iran's ballistic missile production facilities and space program-related sites. Local officials believe the explosions were caused by U.S. attacks, with a Semnan official stating, "Semnan Airport was hit by U.S. strikes."
Around the same time, air defense systems were activated in Parchin, located about 30 kilometers southeast of Tehran. Parchin is suspected of housing missile development and nuclear facilities.
However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) clarified that Parchin was not attacked and that the activation of air defense systems was a precautionary measure.
The U.S. military has also intensified its maritime blockade. U.S. forces fired at the Belmah, a tanker heading to Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf.
When the Belmah ignored warnings and continued its course, U.S. aircraft fired a missile at the ship's smokestack, disabling its movement.
In response, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting U.S. bases in neighboring countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. The attacked nations have not reported any casualties or damage. A nighttime drone attack also targeted Erbil in Iraq's northern Kurdish region, which was strongly condemned by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Alzaidi, who is currently visiting the U.S.
In light of warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump to strike Iran's bridges and power plants, the Iranian military has threatened to target all infrastructure in the Middle East.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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