US launches fresh attacks on southern Iran

International Desk: From the night of June 9 to the morning of June 10, the United States has launched a new round of intense military attacks on southern Iran. The US Central Command (Centcom) described it as a 'self-defense' operation. It was reported that the attack was carried out in response to the downing of a US Apache helicopter by Iranian forces.

The attacks targeted Iranian missile launch sites, radar installations, telecommunications towers and naval bases in the Jask, Sirik, Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas areas. Local sources and Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard in the Sirik area and that several installations, including a ground control station, were damaged on Qeshm Island. Water tanks and other infrastructure were also reported to be hit.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) immediately responded by launching drone and missile attacks on the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. The IRGC said the strike took place at around 2:30 am and released video footage providing "visual confirmation".

The US, however, rejected Iran's claim, saying most of the projectiles were destroyed by air defense systems and that there was no significant damage to the Fifth Fleet base. No US troops were reported to have been injured.

The incident has further heightened tensions in the Middle East. Regional analysts say it poses the risk of a major war in the entire Gulf region. The international community, including the United Nations, China and Russia, have called on both sides to exercise restraint. The situation remains extremely tense and the possibility of further retaliation cannot be ruled out.