US attacks southern Iran, as Tehran hits Gulf countries: What’s the latest?

US and Iranian forces exchanged blows across the Middle East on Friday, marking a new escalation in their ongoing conflict. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces conducted a major strike against Iran early on Friday, hitting multiple targets in the country. In response, Iran launched a series of retaliatory attacks, targeting several Gulf states and US military installations in the region. This marks the sixth consecutive day of fighting between the two nations, which have been locked in a cycle of tit-for-tat aggression since late May. The US strike reportedly took place at 01:40 GMT on Friday, though CENTCOM provided limited details about the exact locations targeted within Iran. However, Iranian state media reported that the attacks struck at least six bridges, a railway station, and other infrastructure in the southern Hormozgan province. Among the bridges reportedly damaged were the Gariveh bridge linking Bandar Abbas to Khmeir and Lara, a bridge near the village of Latidan, and two bridges along the Kahoorestan-Lar route. Additional bridges under construction in Bandar e-Khamir, Keshar, and Bandar Abbas were also struck, as well as a bridge in the village of Maru in the Khmeir district. Damage to power lines in Bandar Abbas and surrounding areas led to widespread blackouts, although some regions began restoring electricity later in the day. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a 13th wave of retaliatory strikes, targeting US military facilities in several Gulf countries. In Bahrain, air raid alarms were triggered, prompting officials to urge citizens to stay calm. In Qatar, authorities issued two separate warnings about incoming projectiles, which were all intercepted. One child sustained injuries from falling debris during the aerial defense operations, according to the country’s Ministry of Interior. Oman reported that the IRGC claimed to have destroyed a US air control radar in the Ghanim region and a maritime control radar located on rocks in the Strait of Hormuz. A UK maritime trade agency confirmed that a commercial tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Khasab, Oman, on Thursday. Meanwhile, in Kuwait, the IRGC alleged that they had attacked a US military base, damaging a missile defense radar, several weapons storage facilities, and two HIMARS missile launchers. Jordan’s armed forces stated that they successfully intercepted three Iranian missiles aimed at the country, with no casualties reported. The Jordanian Royal Engineering Corps managed to handle the aftermath of the intercepted projectiles. In Syria, the IRGC claimed to have targeted a US special operations command center at the al-Tanf military base, citing the recent deaths of Iranian soldiers in Iranshahr as justification for the attack. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its previous state following the 40-day conflict, blaming the US for destabilizing the critical waterway. Earlier this week, US Vice President JD Vance made comments on a podcast regarding the involvement of Israeli officials in the broader regional tensions, though the full context of his remarks remains unclear. The situation continues to unfold with both sides showing no signs of de-escalation. With each passing day, the risk of further escalation increases, particularly given the strategic importance of the Gulf region and the presence of US military assets in the area. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to prevent further loss of life and economic disruption.