US military conducts retaliatory strikes on Iran

The United States military carried out a series of “powerful” airstrikes against Iranian targets on Thursday, marking the first major offensive in the region after almost a week of relative calm. The strikes were presented as a direct response to a series of attacks launched from Iranian‑aligned forces that hit U.S. bases in Jordan, prompting Washington to target what it described as command and control facilities linked to Tehran’s regional proxy network. Officials said the operation aimed to degrade the ability of Iran and its affiliates to conduct further assaults on American personnel and assets.

The renewed hostilities come as the broader Middle‑East conflict, which had shown signs of de‑escalation, has again escalated, drawing Iran’s proxies deeper into the fighting. The timing of the U.S. response, following a nearly week‑long lull, has effectively ended recent diplomatic overtures and reduced prospects for a negotiated settlement in the near term.