US strikes Iran, Bushehr nuclear facility hit; Israel warns of third attack as Khamenei is buried

Escalation and retaliation

The United States struck military targets inside Iran overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, the second night of a new bombing campaign. Iran responded by firing on American bases in Gulf states, accusing Washington of attempting to disrupt the funeral rites of the late ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Qatari and Pakistani mediators are working to bring both sides back to the negotiating table, but the situation remains volatile. A US defense official, speaking after reports of an additional strike on Thursday, insisted that "no new strikes in Iran" had been conducted in recent hours.

Bushehr nuclear site targeted

The single active nuclear power plant in Iran, located near the southern city of Bushehr, was at the centre of Thursday's most alarming incident. Ehsan Jahanian, deputy governor of Bushehr province, said a military installation in the vicinity was attacked and hit.

A military installation in the vicinity of Bushehr was attacked and hit by a projectile from the American-Zionist enemy.

Iran's official Irna news agency carried the statement, while the FARS news agency reported explosions in Bushehr province without immediately identifying the exact location. The claim of a strike so close to a nuclear facility sharply raised tensions. Washington denied any fresh strikes during the same period.

Israel's readiness and Trump-Netanyahu call

President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday evening to brief him on the latest US movements in the Gulf, according to Israeli and American readouts. Netanyahu declared that Israel is prepared to attack Iran "a third time if necessary." Israel has already conducted two rounds of strikes inside Iran earlier in the campaign. The chief of staff of the Israeli army, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, told his forces that operations were not over.

New plans are under study. Important operations still await us. Be ready.

Diplomatic moves and Iranian warning

As the military exchanges paused on Friday morning, Qatari and Pakistani mediators tried to pull the parties back to diplomacy. Iran's foreign minister separately warned the United States against "any new military initiative," though no details of the communication were disclosed. The fragile calm followed two days in which Iran also claimed to have bombed the Azraq air base in Jordan, a facility housing US units.

Khamenei laid to rest

Former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was buried early Friday in the holy city of Mashhad, ending several days of nationwide funeral processions. His death, and the overlapping military confrontation with the United States and Israel, have placed the Islamic Republic under acute pressure. The burial proceeded without reported incident, even as statements from Israeli and American officials signalled that the campaign against Iran was not finished.