Renewed escalation between the United States and Iran, with American strikes targeting Revolutionary Guard sites, followed by attacks that Tehran said targeted American bases and interests in a number of countries in the region. While US President Donald Trump confirmed Washington's readiness to launch a new attack, the death toll in Iran rose and tensions rose in the Strait of Hormuz, amid fears of a widening confrontation and continued Pakistani efforts to return the two sides to dialogue.

Published on: 09/03/2026 - 02:05

The military confrontation between the United States and Iran escalated on Wednesday, after a wide round of American strikes on Iranian sites, followed by attacks that Tehran announced targeted American bases and interests in a number of countries in the region, while US President Donald Trump confirmed Washington’s readiness to strike Iran again “at any time.”

Trump told reporters at the White House that US forces struck Iran "very forcefully," noting the destruction of radar systems. He added, "It was a very heavy attack last night, and we are ready to launch another attack whenever we want."

The US President had threatened Iran with "much harsher and stronger" strikes if it responded to the attack, at a time when renewed hostilities raised fears of a widening scope of confrontation in the region, coinciding with faltering diplomatic efforts.

Targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard sites

US Central Command said that its forces targeted sites belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which included air defense sites, radar systems, assets, naval facilities, mine-laying capabilities, and communications sites, before announcing the end of the latest wave of strikes.

In response, Iran announced the launch of a “decisive” operation against American bases and interests in the region.

The Revolutionary Guard said that it attacked American sites in Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, while the Iranian Armed Forces announced that it targeted radar systems and sites for American forces at the Al Dhafra and Al Minhad bases in the Emirates, in addition to the Sheikh Issa Air Base in Bahrain.

Tehran said it had caused deaths among American forces in Jordan and at a base in northern Iraq, but American officials told Reuters that initial assessments had not recorded casualties.

The Iranian military headquarters of Khatam al-Anbia warned that the continuation of the American attacks would be met with “severer, broader and more destructive” responses, warning countries that cooperate with the American army of “dangerous consequences.”

Intercepting missiles and drones in countries in the region

The Jordanian army announced that 13 ballistic missiles originating from Iran entered the Kingdom's airspace, explaining that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 10 of them, while three fell in remote areas without recording injuries or loss of life.

In Kuwait, the authorities said that air defenses responded to attacks with missiles and drones, while firefighting teams announced that they had controlled a fire that broke out in a residential complex in the capital after it was targeted by a drone, without causing any casualties.

Bahrain also announced the interception and destruction of a number of Iranian air attacks.

In Israel, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said that his country would respond “with great force” if it was exposed to an Iranian attack, stressing its defensive and offensive readiness. Until now, Israel has remained outside of the rounds of exchanges of strikes between Washington and Tehran since the ceasefire agreement in April.

Deaths in Iran and controversy over targeting a wedding party

In conjunction with the expansion of the scope of the confrontation, the Iranian Minister of Health said that 18 people were killed and 108 others were injured in the latest wave of American strikes, while the French news agency reported that the bombing killed at least 19 people.

Iran accused the United States of targeting a wedding party in the Sirik region in the south of the country, noting that four people were killed, including a child, and dozens of others were injured.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the incident, while US Central Command said it was aware of the Iranian reports, stressing that the US military “never targets civilians.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the strike on the wedding as a "war crime." The Revolutionary Guard also announced the killing of four of its members, in addition to four Basij forces.

Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, waved at a “new Iranian strategy” in the field, diplomacy, and confronting sanctions, while Iranian military officials vowed broader responses if the American attacks continued.

Hormuz is at the heart of escalation and efforts are being made to return to dialogue

The tension extended to the Strait of Hormuz, where the Saudi company operating the Sidr oil tanker announced the killing of two Filipino sailors following an incident that occurred on the ship while crossing the strait on August 31.

The Greek Marisex Agency for Maritime Affairs reported that two oil tankers were hit by "projectiles of unknown origin," while Tehran said that the two tankers collided with mines after trying to cross outside the route specified by Iranian forces.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that more than 17 million barrels of oil crossed the strait on Monday, while data showed that only four cargo ships crossed it on Tuesday, compared to an average of nearly 13 ships during the previous ten days.

Trump repeatedly said that the United States controls the Strait, and suggested through his platform, “Truth Social,” that it be renamed “Trump Strait.”

The escalation led to a rise in oil prices, as the price of US West Texas Intermediate crude exceeded $90 per barrel for the first time since late July, according to Agence France-Presse.

In parallel, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that it is still optimistic about the possibility of the United States and Iran returning to the dialogue table, despite its concern about escalation, noting that the visit of the Pakistani army commander to Tehran created “great momentum” regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

France 24/ Agencies

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