Iran says navy officer killed as US strikes hit military sites, communication tower

TEHRAN, Jul 12: An Iranian navy air defense officer was killed during US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, while American attacks targeted military installations and a communications tower across southern and western Iran, Iranian officials said on Sunday.

The Rokna news website reported that navy air defense officer Hamidreza Dehghan was killed while carrying out a defensive mission during attacks on the southern county of Jask, near the Strait of Hormuz.

Elsewhere, Iranian officials said a communications tower in the southern highlands of Kerman province was struck in the latest wave of US attacks. The Entekhab news website, citing local officials, said the tower was targeted on Sunday.

In Lorestan province, Deputy Governor Saeed Pourali told state broadcaster IRIB that US forces carried out two overnight airstrikes on the outskirts of Veysian. He said there were no casualties and that the situation had returned to normal.

A military base in the western city of Khondab was also hit by what state news agency IRNA described as "enemy projectiles." A senior local official said authorities were assessing casualties and damage.

The reported strikes form part of a third wave of US military operations targeting Iranian radar, missile and drone sites across southern Iran, according to US officials.

The escalation follows Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and Tehran's announcement that it had closed the strategic waterway until further notice. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said one crew member remains missing following attacks on commercial shipping.

Meanwhile, Iran claimed it launched retaliatory strikes against US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman, while the United Arab Emirates said its air defense systems intercepted Iranian missiles and drones targeting the country.

The claims by Iran regarding its retaliatory attacks have not been independently verified.