India, June 12 -- The US conducted a second straight night of airstrikes on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting swift retaliation from Tehran and raising fears of a wider regional war. US Central Command said the latest strikes targeted air defence systems, radar installations, and surveillance facilities in southern Iran, including areas monitoring maritime traffic around Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island.

Explosions were reported in those locations as the confrontation entered a dangerous new phase.

Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at US bases across the region and claimed it had closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, warning that any vessels entering the area would be at risk. Washington r...