The US military conducted airstrikes on Iranian military targets on Thursday, July 9, 2026, following a series of escalating attacks between the two nations. Reports indicate that the US targeted 90 military installations, including sites near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipping.
Details of the Military Engagements
According to Iranian state media, the recent US strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with 14 people killed and 78 injured across five provinces. The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a "grave war crime," while asserting that they had retaliated by targeting US assets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Later reports indicated that Iran launched additional strikes on sites in Jordan and Iraq.
Images and videos circulated on social media showing damage from the US strikes, including destruction at a marine control tower in Chabahar and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps barracks in Bushehr. US Central Command (Centcom) stated that the strikes aimed to "further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners" in the vital waterway.
Impact on Regional Shipping
The ongoing hostilities have led to a dramatic decline in maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Phil Belcher, marine director at Intertanko, reported that the number of ships traveling through the strait has plummeted to single figures, down from approximately 70 a week ago. This shift has raised concerns regarding the safety of international shipping in the region.
- Current daily ship traffic: 30 (down from 130 pre-conflict)
- Reported casualties: 14 killed, 78 injured
- US military targets struck: 90
Funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
In a separate but significant event, thousands gathered for the funeral of Iran's late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial US and Israeli strikes on February 28. His burial took place at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, surrounded by mourners waving Iranian flags and holding signs denouncing US President Donald Trump.
The political landscape remains tense as Iranian officials, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have stated that the US has not learned from its past mistakes and warned that further strikes would lead to retaliation. Ghalibaf emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz will only be open under Iranian terms.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC World. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
