TEHRAN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 7 people were killed and 16 others injured in new U.S. airstrikes targeting bridges and residential areas in southern Iran.
According to Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Thursday night, the death toll from the U.S. attack targeting the Bandar Khamir Bridge in the country's Hormozgan province rose to 7. It was reported that 9 people injured in the attack were treated by emergency services and medical teams.
According to Iran's state television IRIB, 7 people were injured in a U.S. attack on a residential area in the port city of Bandar Abbas, while a telecommunications tower in the city was also targeted.
The report also stated that six consecutive explosions occurred near the Hamidieh district in the southwestern Khuzestan province, and three explosions near the airport in Iranshahr district in the southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province. At least one U.S. munition was reported to have hit the airport.
Earlier, the semi-official Mehr News Agency had announced that the U.S. carried out attacks on Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Ahvaz, and Bushehr in the south of the country on Thursday night.
U.S. Central Command, in a statement on the social media platform X, stated that the sixth night of airstrikes against Iran was completed at 21:40 Washington time on Thursday.
The statement indicated that U.S. forces, including fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and warships, struck dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance and air defense positions, military logistics infrastructure, and naval capabilities with precision-guided munitions.
The Command stated that they continue to degrade Iran's military capabilities and hold Iran responsible for recent attacks on commercial vessels. The statement reported that more than 50,000 U.S. troops deployed across the Middle East are "vigilant, ready to use force when necessary, and prepared for duty."
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated at a press conference on Thursday that talks with Iran are ongoing despite the renewed escalation, saying, "We are talking with them. However, Trump will not tolerate ships being fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz without a price being paid. Iran has indicated that it still wants to reach an agreement with Trump."