Iranian Army Captain Killed and Abdali Border Crossing Targeted

United States military forces carried out a fresh round of strikes on Iran during the twelfth consecutive night of operations, resulting in the death of an Iranian army captain and at least two other individuals, according to local reports and official statements. The escalating conflict has rapidly widened beyond Iranian borders, with Tehran launching retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. positions and facilities in Kuwait and Jordan.

Military Objectives and U.S. Operations in the Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the ongoing military campaign is designed to further diminish Iran’s capacity to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters. According to CENTCOM, American forces targeted Iranian naval capabilities, missile storage facilities, and drone installations. Operations also disrupted maritime traffic by altering the courses of nine commercial vessels and temporarily halting one ship to prevent entry into or departure from Iranian ports.

Concurrently, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under its control and remains entirely closed to traffic without prior coordination with Tehran. According to the IRGC, three oil tankers attempted to cross a mined path south of the Strait, resulting in a fire on one vessel while the other two turned back. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Tehran for violating a memorandum of understanding signed on June 18, which aimed to secure the reopening of the Strait and guarantee freedom of navigation.

Casualties and Infrastructure Damage Across Iranian Provinces

Inside Iran, state media and local officials documented widespread explosions and structural damage resulting from the U.S. strikes. The Tasnim news agency reported that an army communications captain was killed during overnight attacks targeting the Shalamcheh border crossing in Khuzestan province. The regional deputy governor stated that a U.S. missile strike hit the passenger terminal at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq, causing two civilian deaths, while additional strikes impacted the vicinity of Andimeshk.

Explosions were also recorded in Ahvaz and Ramshir in Khuzestan province, as well as Sirik and Jask in Hormozgan province, where port authorities reported severe damage to two marine search and rescue vessels. In Bushehr province, the local governor confirmed a missile struck a power plant adjacent to the Bushehr nuclear power facility, causing a temporary two-hour blackout in a nearby village. Additional strikes targeted military sites and agricultural equipment in Dashti district, according to Fars and Nour News agencies.

Retaliatory Strikes Targeting U.S. Bases in Kuwait and Jordan

In direct response to the American campaign, Iranian forces launched drone and missile strikes against military installations in neighboring countries. The Kuwaiti military reported that the Al-Abdali border crossing with Iraq was hit by hostile drones on Thursday afternoon, causing material damage but no casualties. The crossing was temporarily closed following the incident. Kuwaiti air defense systems intercepted incoming aerial threats, and the General Staff urged the public to follow safety protocols.

The IRGC claimed responsibility for targeting three U.S. bases in Kuwait—Ali Al Salem Air Base, Ahmed al-Jaber (Aderi) Air Base, and Camp Doha—stating that the sites were used to launch attacks against Iranian territory. The Iranian military reported heavy damage to logistics hubs, fuel storage tanks, and helicopter hangars, along with reported casualties among U.S. personnel. Meanwhile, the Jordanian military announced that its air defenses successfully intercepted three missiles and six drones that entered Jordanian airspace, with a fourth missile landing in an uninhabited remote area.

President Trump’s Threats and Diplomatic Standoff

Writing on his Truth Social platform, President Trump stated that any future Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz would prompt American strikes against critical infrastructure in Iran, specifically mentioning bridges and power plants in or near Tehran. Iranian military officials swiftly rejected the threats, warning that any assault on national infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes against regional energy facilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced Tehran’s defensive posture on the platform X, stating that any aggression against Iranian infrastructure would draw a strong and decisive response, and warning that entities supporting such actions would be treated as legitimate targets. Despite the intense hostilities, Secretary of State Rubio indicated that the administration still prefers a diplomatic settlement, emphasizing that the U.S. will not stand idly by while commercial vessels and American personnel remain under attack.