Exchange of fire between US and Iran; Trump reveals targeted strikes on Strait of Hormuz

The United States military conducted a six-hour operation on Tuesday against a series of military targets in Iran, including air defense sites, radars, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval facilities. US President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, described the strikes as "completely justified" and warned that if Iran continues its actions, even heavier blows await. According to Trump, the operation was aimed at neutralizing Iran's efforts to rebuild its coastal radar network in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Tehran launched missiles and drones on Wednesday, targeting US assets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Iranian officials claimed that 18 people were killed and over 100 injured in the US strikes, including an incident in the village of Koohstak which local authorities said resulted in civilian casualties at a wedding ceremony. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions against banks linked to Iran, emphasizing that Washington intends to exert maximum economic pressure on Tehran.