The United States Army launched its seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran on Friday, July 17th, 2026, aiming to degrade Iranian military capabilities. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on X that the strikes began at 19:00 GMT (10:30pm local time in Iran) and were conducted under the direction of the Commander in Chief.

Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in central and southern Iran in the early hours of Saturday, July 18th. The state news agency IRNA reported five explosions in Yazd, central Iran. Iranian state television confirmed three explosions in the southern city of Sirik, while the Mehr news agency said blasts were heard in several southern provinces.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have struck a depot housing US unmanned aerial vehicles in Bahrain late on Friday. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy announced that Iran had struck a power and water plant, damaging numerous electricity generation units and causing a fire that has since been extinguished.

Tehran has accused the US military of targeting civilian infrastructure, a claim the US denies, insisting its operations focus on degrading Iran’s military capabilities. A military adviser to the Iranian supreme leader warned of a full-scale offensive if the US attacks continue.

Satellite images have shown damage inside Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, raising further concerns about the conflict’s escalation. The ongoing strikes and retaliatory actions highlight the intensifying tensions between the US and Iran, with questions remaining about the possibility of reaching a lasting deal to end the conflict.

Sources