US Central Command (Centcom) said the wave of strikes were "designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported that air defenses were activated in the capital Tehran. Explosions were also reported in the north-western city of Tabriz, the south-eastern ports of Chabahar and Konarak, and in the southern city of Bushehr, home to Iran's only nuclear power plant. Iran, which has retaliated against the US and its Middle East allies, warned of reprisals after Donald Trump said the US would soon hit an underground nuclear site near Natanz. Iran and the US agreed a ceasefire in April, but hostilities resumed last week as both countries battled over control of the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway.

Centcom said US forces had targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. It also accused Iran of attacking "more than 30 commercial vessels" passing through the Strait of Hormuz over the past three months. "The unwarranted attacks have endangered hundreds of innocent mariners and undermined freedom of navigation", it said, adding the waterway remained "open for commercial vessel transit". Kuwait's army said early on Wednesday morning that its air defenses were engaging with drone attacks from Iran, while Bahrain and Jordan said they had also intercepted drone and missile strikes. The price of oil has jumped in response to the latest escalation, reaching $94 on Wednesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington is still willing to engage in diplomacy with Tehran, but added that he did not believe Iran was serious about talks. (BBC)