US Military Strikes Iran for 13th Consecutive Day... Explosions Heard Deep in Central Inland

The United States has carried out airstrikes against Iran for the 13th consecutive day.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on social media on the 23rd local time, stating, "We initiated additional nighttime airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities at 6:45 p.m. Eastern Time (2:15 a.m. on the 24th, Iran time)."

It explained that "these strikes are part of an ongoing operation to hold Iran accountable and diminish the threats posed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to commercial vessels."

CENTCOM later announced that the nighttime airstrikes, which lasted for about two hours and fifteen minutes, had been completed.

CENTCOM stated that in order to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the military targeted Iranian maritime power, including military command posts, drone storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance bases.

CENTCOM claimed, "Despite recent attacks by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, this international waterway remains open, and commercial ships continue to navigate the strait freely with the support of the US military."

It also added that more than 50,000 US service members are currently conducting operations across the Middle East.

Throughout various regions of Iran on this day, consecutive explosions were heard, centered around Hormozgan Province, which borders the Strait of Hormuz.

In Bandar Abbas, a major port in southern Iran, multiple explosions rang out at around 2:30 a.m. Iran time.

Authorities in Hormozgan Province stated that debris fell on a building in Tepe Allah Akbar within Bandar Abbas, injuring two people.

Power outages also occurred in some areas as utility poles were damaged by the attack.

According to Iran's state-run IRNA broadcaster, an official in Hormozgan Province stated, "Utility poles were damaged and power lines were severed due to the US attack on Tepe Allah Akbar," adding, "Power supply is expected to be restored within an hour."

Explosions, presumed to be missile strikes, occurred on Qeshm Island, a key energy logistics hub located at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian semi-official media outlets such as Tasnim News Agency reported that Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran, as well as nearby Andimeshk and Omidiyeh, were also targeted by US missile strikes.

Missiles also landed in Khondab, Markazi Province, in west-central Iran, and Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan Province in the west, triggering massive explosions.

This indicates that the US military has expanded the scope of its airstrikes from southern Iran to the west-central inland areas.

The airstrikes came amid heightened tensions as US President Trump stated that he is "considering a massive attack against Iran, larger than ever before."

Through social media, President Trump also warned the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, stating, "If they do this (attacking commercial vessels) again, the US will hold Iran accountable given that the Houthis are Iran's proxy."

In another post shortly after, he wrote, "Effective immediately and until further notice, any damage to ships, cargo, or anything related will be compensated using Iranian funds held and controlled by the United States."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.