US military hits targets in Iran, explosions heard in multiple regions

Explosions were reported in Iran's multiple regions including Sirik and Minab on Wednesday after the United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against the country, marking a further escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iranian media and local sources also reported air defence activity in several areas as authorities responded to the developing situation.

The strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Washington was prepared to target key Iranian facilities and intensify military action unless Tehran changed course.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) later announced that American forces had begun launching additional self-defence strikes against multiple targets in Iran at 5:15 p.m. ET on the orders of the Commander in Chief.

"The strikes are in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression," CENTCOM said.

Following the announcement, reports emerged of explosions in Sirik and Minab, while air defence systems were activated across parts of southern Iran. Iranian media have also reported explosions in several other locations, the southern towns of Sirik and Minab, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm island and Gorgan.

Earlier in the day, Trump signalled that more military action was imminent.

"We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them hard again today," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

"We're going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard," he said, while urging Tehran to reach a deal to avoid further escalation. "Sign a deal."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the warning, saying CENTCOM would be "busy tonight" and indicating that the United States was preparing a major military operation.

"The US will be hitting Iran hard tonight," Hegseth said, adding that strikes would target key facilities inside Iran and would be "strong and clear."

According to Hegseth, the operation was intended to advance US military objectives while strengthening Washington's diplomatic position in the region.

Later, the chief of the Iranian parliament's national security committee, Ebrahim Azizi, warned in response that the "war won't be limited to the region."

The United States and Iran have traded fire several times since the tentative ceasefire took hold, even as negotiators have unsuccessfully sought an end to the three-month-old war. Trump has repeatedly said a deal is close, though there has been no sign of a breakthrough, while also threatening to resume bombing.

The latest strikes come after the US military targeted Iranian air defence and radar facilities near the Strait of Hormuz following the downing of a US attack helicopter earlier this week. Iran subsequently launched missile and drone attacks against US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, though US officials said there was no significant damage.

Iran accused Washington of targeting water infrastructure serving several villages and condemned the attacks as a violation of international law. Tehran also warned that any further escalation could expand beyond the region.