Iran’s joint military command stepped up its threats as intensifying U.S. airstrikes target the country, saying it would destroy “all the infrastructure in the region”.
The United States struck Iran and Tehran hit back at U.S. allies in the Gulf on Thursday (July 16, 2026), as the foes battled over the vital Strait of Hormuz in the renewed war in West Asia.
Pakistan said it would encourage the United States and Iran to stop violence and resume talks under a memorandum of understanding it helped mediate last month.
Also read: Iran threatens to block more vital seaways as Trump orders renewed Iran blockade U.S. forces hit Iranian military targets in multiple locations including coastal Bandar Abbas to “degrade Iran’s ability to threaten innocent mariners” in the Strait of Hormuz, Central Command said.
Earlier strikes had targeted coastal defence and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island in the Gulf, it added.
Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported explosions in several areas of the country on Thursday (July 16, 2026), including Lorestan in the west and Senman in the north, while air defences were triggered in parts of Tehran.
Soon after, U.S. allies in the Gulf began reporting attacks, with Kuwait saying it intercepted Iranian drones and Bahrain sounding air raid sirens.
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