US bombs northern Iran for first time: explosions near Tehran, Semnan hit; tanker disabled, American freed
Overnight airstrikes struck near the capital and a missile production hub, while an earlier wave killed at least seven and wounded over 260. Iran released a US citizen amid the escalation.
Northern Iran struck for the first time
US forces concluded an overnight wave of airstrikes that reached northern Iran for the first time since fighting over the Strait of Hormuz began. Iranian state media reported explosions in the vicinity of Tehran and strikes on Semnan province, which houses ballistic missile production and the country's space programme. No immediate casualty or damage figures were released. The overnight operation followed reports of attacks on multiple other locations: the Mehr news agency cited three explosions in the port of Chabahar, while strikes were also reported in Rask in the far south-east, near Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf, and in Ahvaz in the south-west. The state-run Irna agency said four sites on the outskirts of Ahvaz were hit.
US citizen freed amid attacks
In a separate development, Iran released an American citizen during the escalation. President Trump expressed gratitude for the release, which was confirmed as the US intensified its air campaign.
Earlier waves cause casualties
Before the northern strikes, a first US attack wave on July 15 hit a military base and a wheat silo, leaving at least seven people dead and more than 260 injured, according to Iranian accounts. The US military later announced it had completed a 90-minute attack wave, which marked the second wave within a single day. A further wave followed overnight, targeting northern sites for the first time.
- First wave hits military base and wheat silo; 7 dead, 260+ injured
- Second wave within a day, 90-minute operation completed
- Overnight wave targets northern Iran for the first time; explosions near Tehran and Semnan
Regional spillover and tensions
The conflict is rippling across the region. Jordan said it shot down three Iranian rockets, while Kuwait reported Iranian drone attacks. Iranian forces claimed they had attacked US bases. Meanwhile, Israel struck the Gaza Strip, where a clinic reported four dead, and the Israeli army was reported to have blown up houses in southern Lebanon. Progress in Israeli-Lebanese talks was noted by diplomats. Inside Iran, authorities carried out a further execution following protests, and a propaganda poster in Tehran depicted Trump in a coffin. One Iranian politician publicly called for readiness for a years-long war.
Strait of Hormuz conflict
The fighting is centred on control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The US military said it completed its overnight wave after targeting the north, and an oil tanker was disabled in the strikes, according to a separate report.
