US forces began a new wave of strikes against Iran at 2 p.m. ET Thursday, the sixth consecutive night, “to further degrade Iranian military capabilities” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X. CENTCOM added that the strikes hit “dozens” of coastal surveillance, air defense, and logistics targets, and that Washington is “holding Iran accountable” for attacks on commercial shipping.
Iran widened its retaliation, striking Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan and claiming hits on US forces in Bahrain and Syria as well, according to CNN. Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said in its own statement, carried by the Qatar News Agency, that a child was injured by falling shrapnel during interception operations and is receiving medical care.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the US of war crimes, citing a Wednesday strike on a mineral water facility in Dehloran and an earlier strike on a Chabahar traffic control center, per CNN.
The exchanges mark a further breakdown of last month’s ceasefire framework. Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, has warned the two sides risk sliding into a prolonged “forever war,” per CNN.
Fighting resumed on February 28, and the current round has run since July 7, per the administration’s July 10 notification to Congress, which restarted the 60-day War Powers clock. Democrats dispute that the clock can legally reset, arguing hostilities never stopped, according to Roll Call.
