US completes 11th night of strikes on Iran as conflict expands to Tabriz
US Central Command has expanded its aerial campaign against Iran to include Tabriz, while both nations face deepening military and diplomatic escalations. The conflict continues to threaten global oil transit and regional stability as diplomatic efforts struggle to find a breakthrough.
The United States military concluded its 11th consecutive night of strikes against Iran on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the conflict as attacks expanded to previously less-targeted regions like Tabriz in northwestern Iran. The strikes, conducted by US Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and logistics infrastructure, according to a statement. The operation, which lasted approximately 75 minutes, followed a pattern of sustained aerial bombardment aimed at curbing Iran’s perceived threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions were reported across multiple locations, including Tehran, where residents described "massive explosions" and activated air defenses. In southern Iran, areas near Bushehr, Sirik, and the Khuzestan province saw targeted strikes, while Tabriz became a focal point for the first time. Fars news agency cited local officials stating that a military zone near Tabriz was hit around 2:40am local time, though no attacks occurred within the city itself. This shift in targeting contrasts with earlier rounds of strikes, which primarily focused on southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz region.
Iran responded with its own attacks, including a drone strike on a US military base in Kuwait. The Iranian military claimed to have targeted "ammunition depots and logistical equipment" at Camp Doha, though the US has not confirmed the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned that any US strikes on nuclear sites would prompt a regional escalation. US President Donald Trump reiterated threats to attack a suspected Iranian nuclear facility called Pickaxe Mountain, calling it "pretty soon, and very heavily."
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict continued, with Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visiting Pakistan, a key mediator. Qatari officials also engaged in talks with Saudi Arabia to coordinate de-escalation measures. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington remains open to negotiations but criticized Iran for lacking "seriousness" in talks. "If they’re serious, we’re serious. If they’re not, then we will do what’s necessary to protect our interests," Rubio stated, citing concerns about a dangerous precedent if Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has exacted a heavy toll, with CENTCOM reporting that Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months. The US has spent $37.5 billion on the war so far, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requesting an additional $90 billion in funding. Senator Jon Ossoff challenged claims that Iran’s military had been "destroyed," highlighting the ongoing challenges. Meanwhile, Iran’s health ministry reported 50 civilian deaths and 500 injuries from recent US strikes, while 18 US service members have been killed in the conflict.
The war’s impact extends beyond military confrontations. Oil prices rose as tensions in the Red Sea intensified, with the Houthis threatening to block Saudi oil shipments. Three oil tankers carrying Saudi crude reversed course, avoiding the Yemeni coast. Trump warned of potential retaliation against the Houthis if they closed the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical passage for global trade. The conflict also disrupted regional stability, with Iran targeting US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and the US striking infrastructure in Iran’s Bushehr province, home to the country’s only nuclear power plant.
As the conflict enters its fifth month, the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough has left the region in a precarious state. While CENTCOM maintains that the Strait of Hormuz remains open for commercial transit, the repeated attacks underscore the fragility of international trade routes. The expansion of strikes to Tabriz and the threat of nuclear site targeting signal a deepening confrontation, with both sides showing little willingness to retreat from their positions. Mediators continue to push for a resolution, but the path to stability remains unclear amid escalating violence and geopolitical rivalries.
