Southern Iran Blasts Follow U.S. Hormuz Strike Wave

Iranian state media reported explosions early Wednesday in Qeshm, Bandar Abbas and Sirik as U.S. forces expanded strikes after Iran's attacks on three commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were meant to impose costs for targeting civilian-crewed shipping, while U.S. officials described targets tied to air defense, coastal surveillance, missiles, drones and port infrastructure. Initial casualty reporting was unsettled: one account said several people were injured, while another said no casualties or damage were immediately reported. The update shows Iran paying a direct price for threatening a sea lane central to Israel's regional security and global energy trade.