Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jul 19: Iran has said that at least 50 people have been killed and 500 others injured since the latest escalation in the Gulf began, following a series of US military strikes.

Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpur said the latest attacks claimed the lives of 12 civilians in the past 24 hours. He added that 460 of the injured have been discharged after treatment, while 37 people remain hospitalised, according to reports.

Amid the continuing hostilities, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei criticised the United States, describing the US President's signature as "worthless" and accusing Washington of repeatedly violating commitments made under the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries' presidents. His remarks were carried by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-linked Sepah news agency.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had completed a seventh consecutive night of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure. In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said the operations hit surveillance installations, military logistics facilities, underground weapons storage sites and maritime assets.

The US military also stated that more than 50,000 American personnel remain deployed across the Middle East, maintaining readiness amid the escalating conflict.

Iranian state media reported that the latest US strikes killed three people and injured eight others.

In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for attacks on the US naval fuel support pier at Al Ahmadi Port in Kuwait and the US combat aircraft facility at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.

Regional tensions also spilled over into neighbouring countries. According to local media reports, Jordan's air defence systems intercepted Iranian missiles, Bahrain thwarted multiple aerial attacks, and Kuwait reported a fire at a power and water desalination plant following what it said was an Iranian strike.

The IRGC further warned that countries hosting US military forces could face retaliation if their territories are used to launch attacks against Iran. The statement, carried by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, underscored the risk of the conflict expanding across the wider region.