Iran Says 38 Killed, 400 Injured In US Attacks As CENTCOM Defends Military Operation

At least 38 people were killed and more than 400 injured after the United States carried out strikes across several Iranian provinces, according to Iran's Health Ministry. Tehran accused Washington of targeting civilian infrastructure, while the US maintained the operation was aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities and maritime surveillance network.

Iran says civilian infrastructure was hit

According to Iranian state media Press TV, the strikes, carried out from late Thursday into early Friday, affected the provinces of Hormozgan, Bushehr, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan and Lorestan.

Iran's Health Ministry said the attacks killed at least 38 people, including three women and one person below the age of 18, while more than 400 others were injured. It added that 47 of the injured remain hospitalised.

Among the sites hit was the maritime control tower at Shahid Kalantari Port in Chabahar, which was destroyed. However, the port's berths, cargo-handling facilities and other operational infrastructure remained intact, and no casualties were reported at the port.

Iranian news agency IRNA reported that technical and operational teams had begun assessing the damage, securing the affected areas and preparing to resume port operations. Cargo loading and unloading are expected to restart after safety inspections are completed.

CENTCOM defends operation, says military assets targeted

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Friday (local time) that it had "successfully destroyed" the surveillance tower at Iran's Shahid Kalantari Port in Chabahar, stating that the facility was part of a maritime surveillance network used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to monitor commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM also said it had conducted multiple rounds of strikes targeting Iranian military capabilities, including coastal surveillance systems, air defence sites, logistics infrastructure and maritime assets.

Iran, however, has accused the United States of targeting civilian infrastructure, while Washington has maintained that the operation was intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities and respond to threats against regional security.

Damage reported across provinces as tensions escalate

Authorities in Hormozgan province reported extensive damage after strikes hit multiple locations, including six bridges in Khamir County. The provincial governor's office said seven people were killed and nine injured. The attacks also disrupted transport links connecting Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khamir and Lar, with emergency teams working to restore connectivity through alternative routes.

In Bandar Abbas, officials said one person was killed and eight others were injured after a strike hit a residential area. A railway branch station in the city was also damaged, injuring two people.

Bushehr Governor Mohammad Mozaffari said two strikes were reported in the province within hours, injuring one person.

In Khuzestan province, Deputy Governor Valiollah Hayati said US forces targeted areas around Ahvaz, where authorities are assessing the extent of the damage. Iranian officials had earlier alleged that strikes near Ahvaz forced the temporary evacuation of Shahid Baghaei Hospital, a specialised cancer treatment facility.

A strike was also reported in the Veysian district of Chegeni County in Lorestan province, according to Deputy Governor Saeed Pourali.

The latest escalation comes after Iran announced retaliatory strikes against US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and Oman, claiming it had targeted American positions across the region.

(With inputs from ANI)