Iran confirmed that US strikes on five provinces over two days killed 14 people and injured 78 others, intensifying tensions after the collapse of a ceasefire agreement.
Hossein Kermanpour, head of the health ministry’s Public Relations Centre, said the attacks on July 8 and 9 left 47 victims hospitalised, while others were discharged after treatment. Three deaths occurred near Ahvaz in Khuzestan province, according to local officials.
The US Central Command stated that its operations targeted more than 170 military sites, including air defence systems, missile and drone infrastructure, naval facilities, and assets belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Washington said the strikes aimed to deter further attacks on international shipping.
Iran also suspended Tehran–Mashhad passenger rail services after a US–Israeli strike damaged a section of the railway line. Authorities dispatched technical teams to restore operations, while stranded passengers were redirected by road. Reports confirmed that two railway bridges in northern Iran were hit by cruise missiles, marking the first US strike on transportation infrastructure since the April ceasefire.
The escalation followed US accusations that Iran attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting successive waves of strikes. Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The renewed confrontation came weeks after a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding sought to end hostilities. However, US President Donald Trump declared the agreement “over” on Wednesday, triggering fresh military action.
