Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Jul 19: Iran has accused the United States of carrying out a missile strike on the construction site of the Darkhovin nuclear power plant in Khuzestan province, further intensifying the ongoing military confrontation between the two countries.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) said the attack took place at 3:39 a.m. local time, describing it as a "brutal act of aggression" that violated Iran's sovereignty and international law.

The agency, however, did not provide details on casualties or the extent of damage caused by the strike.

Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said it intercepted two vessels that allegedly attempted to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz using an unauthorised route.

According to a statement released by the IRGC, four vessels ignored official warnings, switched off their navigation systems and attempted to transit the strategic waterway through what Iran described as an unsafe route with US backing. Two of the vessels reportedly met with accidents and were stopped, while the remaining two were forced to turn back.

The IRGC reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz remains under its full control and claimed that all commercial shipments, including oil, natural gas and chemical fertilisers, must coordinate with Iranian authorities before passing through the waterway.

The developments came a day after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had completed an eighth consecutive round of strikes targeting what it described as Iranian coastal surveillance systems, air defence facilities, maritime assets, and missile and drone storage sites. CENTCOM also stated that more than 50,000 US military personnel remain deployed across the Middle East and are maintaining a high state of readiness.

In response, the Iranian Army said it launched retaliatory drone strikes against US military installations in Kuwait, describing the attacks as retaliation for American strikes on Iranian territory and civilian infrastructure.

According to the Iranian military, two waves of drone attacks targeted the Al-Adiri Camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

The claims made by both Iran and the United States regarding the attacks and their impact have not been independently verified. The latest exchange underscores the continuing escalation in tensions across the Gulf region, raising concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict.