The United States has abruptly expanded the scope of its airstrikes beyond Iran's southern coast, reaching the outskirts of the capital, Tehran, and deep into the country's interior.
Simultaneously, the U.S. has escalated pressure to its highest level by neutralizing an oil tanker that attempted to breach its maritime blockade.
In response, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes targeting bases in neighboring countries where U.S. troops are stationed, issuing a stern warning that it would devastate all infrastructure in the region.
According to Iran's IRNA news agency and other sources on July 16, local time, multiple powerful explosions were heard early this morning in various inland locations, including Khorramabad in Lorestan Province, Khondab in Markazi Province, and Semnan Province in the north.
These cities are hubs for Iran's major ballistic missile production and space program facilities.
Local officials identified U.S. military strikes as the cause of the explosions, with an official in Semnan Province confirming that "Semnan Airport was hit by a U.S. attack."
Around the same time, air defense systems were activated in Parchin, located on the outskirts of the capital, Tehran, and approximately 30 kilometers to the southeast.
Parchin is a key military stronghold suspected of housing not only Iran's missile development and production facilities but also nuclear sites.
However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) explained that Parchin was not attacked and that the activation of air defense systems was a measure to check readiness.
Based on reports from Iranian media, while the U.S. military had previously focused its strikes on southern and southwestern coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz, there is a possibility that the scope of the airstrikes has now expanded into the Iranian interior.
In addition to the airstrikes, the U.S. military has tightened its maritime blockade.
U.S. forces opened fire on the Curacao-flagged oil tanker Velma, which was heading toward Kharg Island, where one of Iran's major crude oil export terminals in the Persian Gulf is located.
When the Velma ignored warnings and continued its voyage, a U.S. military aircraft fired a missile at the vessel's funnel, completely disabling its maneuverability.
Facing all-out pressure from the U.S., Iran immediately responded with military retaliation and a hardline warning.
Early this morning, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, where U.S. troops are stationed.
The countries targeted by Iran have yet to confirm any casualties or damages.
There was also a nighttime drone attack targeting Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who is currently visiting the United States, strongly condemned the attack.
Regarding the warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that he would strike Iranian bridges and power plants, the Iranian military fired back, threatening to attack all infrastructure across the Middle East.