US launches 7th night of strikes as Iran attacks military sites

TEHRAN, July 18: Iran on Saturday struck infrastructure and military-linked sites across the Gulf while threatening a "full-scale offensive" in retaliation for the seventh consecutive night of US strikes on the Islamic republic, marking one of the most dangerous escalations in the conflict since hostilities resumed.

A month after the United States and Iran agreed a preliminary deal aimed at ending their war, fighting has intensified, with Tehran accusing Washington of targeting civilian infrastructure, including an airport, a railway station, bridges, power facilities and desalination plants.

Major General Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, warned that Tehran would abandon its policy of proportional retaliation if the US campaign continued.

"Iran will no longer limit itself to retaliatory, like-for-like responses... and no political border will be safe," Rezaei said, according to Iranian state media. He added that Iran would resume "full-scale offensive operations" if US strikes continue for another two or three days.

The US military said its latest attacks were intended to "continue degrading Iranian military capabilities", according to a statement by US Central Command posted on X.

In one of the widest waves of retaliation since the conflict resumed, Iran said it struck US military assets and strategic infrastructure across the region.

Iran's army said it targeted military sites in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain. In Kuwait, Iranian forces reportedly struck the Al-Adiri camp, Ali Al-Salem Air Base, ammunition depots and communication bridges. Kuwaiti authorities, however, said Iranian attacks also hit civilian infrastructure, including a power and water plant, forcing several electricity generation units offline.

It was the second consecutive day that a Kuwaiti power and water facility came under attack after a strike on Friday caused a fire and extensive damage. Kuwait's state oil company also reported injuries and damage at an oil facility, while firefighters were injured battling blazes triggered by the attacks.

In Bahrain, Iran said it targeted the Sheikh Isa Air Base, describing it as one of the US military's most important operational and logistical centres in the region. The Iranian army said drones struck aircraft shelters, fuel storage tanks and military facilities connected to the base.

Bahrain said its air defences intercepted incoming attacks, while air raid sirens were activated across parts of the kingdom.
Jordan also came under attack, with Iranian state media reporting strikes on fuel storage tanks at Al-Azraq Air Base. Jordan's military said it intercepted 10 Iranian missiles, adding there were no casualties or damage.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards also claimed that two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, allegedly directed by "deceptive American intelligence agencies", exploded after striking naval mines. The US military swiftly rejected the claim.
The Guards further said they had "stopped" four ships attempting to transit the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world's oil exports passes, has become a central flashpoint in the conflict. Iran effectively closed the vital shipping route after the war began in late February with US-Israeli strikes, while maritime tracking firms Kpler and MarineTraffic reported vessel traffic through the strait had fallen to a three-week low.

The United States has also reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports in an effort to restrict Tehran's oil exports, further increasing tensions in the Gulf.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to target Iranian infrastructure, although Washington has not confirmed that such operations have begun.

Iranian officials accused US forces of striking civilian infrastructure in multiple provinces. The state news agency IRNA reported that three people were killed and eight wounded in Hormozgan province, while local authorities said 116 telecommunications towers had been knocked out, disrupting landline, mobile and internet services.

In Khuzestan province, officials said the United States had attacked 95 locations across 12 cities during the past 10 days, leaving eight people dead.

Iranian authorities also said missile strikes damaged power facilities and desalination plant pumps serving the southern village of Bonji, cutting drinking water supplies to several nearby communities.

The energy ministry urged residents to reduce electricity consumption and limit air-conditioner use during peak hours as the national power grid came under increasing strain.

The electricity ministry in Kuwait likewise appealed for electricity conservation after Iranian attacks damaged a major power and water facility. �"AFP