The United States, as part of Operation "Epic Fury", has sunk an Iranian corvette in the Gulf of Oman, prompting Tehran to launch massive retaliatory attacks on American bases and allied targets in the region.
As reported by Hvylya, citing international news agencies and the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) press service, the escalation marks a significant intensification of the conflict.
According to the US military, the Iranian corvette was destroyed near the Chah Bahar dock. The strike was part of a joint operation with the Israel Defense Forces.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered an urgent address to the nation, announcing that a temporary council—established following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—has assumed leadership of the country. The council includes Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi.
"We will destroy enemy bases and capabilities," Pezeshkian vowed, calling for national unity.
Following the address, Iran launched a series of strikes on targets in neighboring countries hosting US and allied forces. The attacks affected the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Shelling of Israel is also ongoing.
Significant casualties were reported in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, where a missile strike killed at least nine people and wounded over 20. In the UAE, three foreign nationals—citizens of Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh—were killed, and more than 50 people were injured. One local resident died and 32 were injured in Kuwait.
The UAE Ministry of Defense reported intercepting 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 541 drones.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed a major success, stating it had struck the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier with four missiles. There has been no official US confirmation of damage to the vessel. Reports also indicate strikes on British bases in Cyprus and the French "Camp de la Paix" base in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, the United States has suffered personnel losses.
"Three US service members were killed during the operation against Iran. Five others were critically wounded," CENTCOM confirmed.