US Sites Across Mideast Hit by Iran Drones, Missiles

Iran's confrontation with Washington just jumped several notches. After US forces resumed strikes on Iran this week—hits that the Pentagon says targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities linked to attacks on US troops and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz—Tehran answered with missile and drone barrages on US-linked sites in Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Bahrain on Wednesday, according to Iranian and regional officials cited by the BBC. Jordan says it intercepted 13 ballistic missiles aimed at a US Marine base near Aqaba; no casualties were reported.

Iran's Red Crescent humanitarian group says shrapnel from a US strike had earlier killed five people—including a 4-year-old and teenager, per the AP—and wounded dozens at a home hosting a wedding in southern Iran. A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry noted on X that "Iran will respond to these savage crimes with firmness," per the Washington Post. US Central Command says it's aware of that report, but it insists it doesn't target civilians. The flare-up follows the lapse of a US-Iran ceasefire deal and comes amid new US sanctions.