US pummels Irans military infrastructure in latest strikes

US Central Command completed its seventh consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran Friday, hitting Iranian “military logistics infrastructure” among other targets. “US Central Command (CENTCOM) hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities,” read a statement released by the combatant command.“US forces employed fighter aircraft, aerial drones, and warships in addition to other assets.”“CENTCOM continues to hold Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction while fully enforcing a naval blockade against Iranian ports.” Video footage released by CENTCOM showed several cruise missiles being launched from a Navy warship, fighter jets taking off into the night sky and at least three targets being hit by precision munitions. One target appeared to be a communications tower.

A second target appeared to be a highway road bridge. The strikes concluded at 9:30 p.m.ET. “More than 50,000 American service members are operating across the Middle East and remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” CENTCOM added. Iranian state media reported explosions in parts of central and southern Iran, including  Ahvaz, Lar, Yazd and Sirik.Iran responded to the US assault by firing missiles and launching drones at several countries in the region.  Kuwait’s army reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones.

Jordan’s military also said it intercepted incoming missiles launched by Iran.Air raid sirens were sounded in Bahrain as well, according to the government. Friday’s airstrikes come after American forces carried out two waves of assaults on Thursday, as the US military sought to cut off the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas to ease Tehran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz.Thursday’s strikes dramatically toppled a large, white surveillance tower in Iran’s southernmost city of Chabahar, located on a key trade route for landlocked, neighboring Afghanistan.Having assessed that the...