US renews 'heavy wave' of strikes on Iran; Tehran pledges retaliation amid widening war fears

The United States military has launched a significant wave of retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets, escalating tensions in the Middle East. These strikes, carried out by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday, July 30, 2026, followed recent Iranian missile attacks on American military bases in Jordan. While Iran's prior missile launches were reportedly intercepted without casualties, US President Donald Trump had vowed a strong response to these perceived threats.

The US forces targeted dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites across Iran, including military command centers, missile and drone facilities, and coastal defense installations. Iranian state media, however, reported civilian casualties, including a family, from strikes on Qeshm Island, and also noted hits on various southwestern cities. This renewed military action comes after a brief pause in hostilities between the two nations, further fueling concerns about a widening regional conflict.

Adding to the regional instability, Jordan reported intercepting five Iranian missiles aimed at the kingdom. The current escalation follows a period of ongoing conflict and a collapsed ceasefire deal between the US and Iran earlier in July.