US launches new strikes on Iran as explosions reported near Bushehr, Bandar Abbas

The US Central Command announced on Monday evening that the United States had launched a new round of airstrikes on Iran at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (20:00 GMT).

The announcement came as Iranian media reported hearing explosions in the city of Bandar Abbas. News agencies also said air defense systems were activated near the Bushehr nuclear facility, and explosions were heard near the city of Sirik, though the causes remain unclear.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump vowed that Iran would "pay the price" for the deaths of American soldiers, following a series of deadly incidents in recent days—one of the bloodiest periods for US forces since the war began in February.

The death toll among US troops has risen to 17 in recent days, with the remains of another soldier still being examined. Two soldiers were confirmed killed in an Iranian attack targeting US personnel in Jordan.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Every time Iran kills an American soldier, it will pay a price many times over," adding that he had instructed Defense Secretary Beit Hejseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Daniel Kin accordingly.

In March, six US soldiers were killed when an Iranian drone targeted a US military facility at Shuaiba Port in Kuwait.