Iran’s Health Ministry said on Friday that US airstrikes carried out across several provinces killed at least 38 people and injured more than 400 others. Iranian officials said the attacks damaged civilian infrastructure, including bridges, power facilities and the maritime control tower at Shahid Kalantari Port in Chabahar.
The United States, however, said its operation targeted Iranian military infrastructure. It identified the destroyed tower as part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) maritime surveillance network.
Iran Reports 38 Deaths and More Than 400 Injuries
According to Iran’s Health Ministry, the strikes took place from late Thursday into early Friday.
The ministry said the death toll reached at least 38, while more than 400 people suffered injuries. It added that the victims included three women and one person under the age of 18. Officials said 47 injured people remain in hospital.
Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported that the attacks hit several provinces, including Hormozgan, Bushehr, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan and Lorestan.
Civilian Infrastructure Suffers Heavy Damage
Iranian officials said the strikes damaged key civilian infrastructure. The ministry reported damage to bridges, electricity facilities and the maritime control tower at Shahid Kalantari Port in Chabahar.
Although the control tower was destroyed, Press TV reported that the port’s berths, cargo terminals and other operational facilities remained undamaged. Authorities also said no casualties occurred at the port.
US Says Port Tower Was an IRGC Surveillance Facility
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces had destroyed the surveillance tower at Shahid Kalantari Port. CENTCOM said the tower formed part of an IRGC maritime surveillance network used to monitor commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman and vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that technical teams had started assessing the damage and securing the site. Officials also began preparations to resume port operations after completing safety inspections. Cargo loading and unloading are expected to restart once authorities declare the area safe.
Hormozgan Province Reports Major Damage
Hormozgan was among the worst-hit provinces. Provincial authorities said strikes damaged several locations, including six bridges in Khamir County. The Hormozgan Governor’s Office reported that seven people died and nine others were injured.
Officials said the attacks disrupted transport routes linking Bandar Abbas, Bandar Khamir and Lar. Emergency crews have started restoring traffic through alternative roads.
Residential Areas and Railway Station Also Hit
Authorities in Bandar Abbas said one person died and eight others were injured after a strike hit a residential neighbourhood. Officials also reported damage to a railway branch station in the city. Two people were injured in that attack.
Other Provinces Also Report Strikes
Bushehr province also came under attack.
Governor Mohammad Mozaffari said two separate strikes occurred within a few hours, leaving one person injured. In Khuzestan province, Deputy Governor Valiollah Hayati said US forces targeted areas near Ahvaz. Officials are still assessing the full extent of the damage.
Iranian authorities had earlier claimed that strikes near Ahvaz forced the temporary evacuation of Shahid Baghaei Hospital, a specialised cancer treatment centre. In Lorestan province, Deputy Governor Saeed Pourali confirmed that a strike hit the Veysian district in Chegeni County.
US and Iran Give Different Versions of Events
The latest strikes came after CENTCOM announced multiple rounds of military operations targeting Iran. According to the US military, the attacks focused on coastal surveillance systems, air defence positions, logistics infrastructure and maritime assets linked to Iran’s military.
Iran, however, accused the United States of attacking civilian infrastructure and causing civilian casualties. Washington maintained that the operation aimed to “degrade Iranian military capabilities” and counter threats to regional security, while Tehran said the strikes caused significant damage to civilian facilities and public infrastructure.