India, July 12 -- The United States launched a series of military strikes on Iran after an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in tensions across the Gulf region. According to US officials, the operation targeted around 140 Iranian military sites, including missile and drone facilities, naval assets and command infrastructure, in response to what Washington described as a threat to international maritime security.

Iran condemned the strikes and responded by launching missile and drone attacks targeting US-linked interests and allied Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman. Several Gulf nations activated their air defence systems, while emerg...