Iran reports explosions near Bushehr nuclear power plant, but US official denies carrying out new attacks

Iranian media reported explosions in Bushehr, a region which has civilian nuclear power plant, as well as in Konarak, Choghadak and Bandar Abbas. However, multiple media outlets cited a US official as saying that American forces had not carried out any strikes in recent hours.

The developments coincided with the burial of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the holy city of Mashhad, bringing to a close a week of funeral processions attended by massive crowds.

US strikes targeted around 90 military sites

Around 90 Iranian targets were struck, up from roughly 80 earlier in the week. The reported targets included missile and drone launch sites, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command centres, air defence systems, radar facilities and logistics infrastructure, including railway lines.

Iranian officials said the US strikes killed 17 people, while state media reported that one attack hit the Tehran–Mashhad railway line, disrupting rail services to Mashhad during Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's burial ceremonies.

Iran launches attacks on US-linked targets

Iran responded by targeting US military assets across the Gulf.

According to Iranian state media, the military launched attacks on Patriot missile systems in Kuwait, an early warning installation in Qatar, and a US Army fuel depot in Bahrain.

Kuwait said it intercepted a cruise missile, three ballistic missiles and ten drones, though one person was injured by falling debris.

Jordan also intercepted eight Iranian missiles after air raid sirens sounded across the country, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards later claimed they had fired ballistic missiles toward Jordan's Azraq military base, which hosts US forces.

Khamenei buried amid anti-US slogans

The military escalation unfolded as Iran buried former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad.

Large crowds packed the shrine and surrounding streets, with mourners carrying banners denouncing the United States and President Donald Trump. Some banners reportedly read, "We Will Kill Trump."

Khamenei was killed on February 28 in the opening phase of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, triggering months of regional conflict.

Strait of Hormuz remains flashpoint

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the standoff between Washington and Tehran.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said shipping traffic through the strategic waterway had recovered to around 50% of pre-war levels but stressed that vessels were being allowed to transit only under Iranian supervision and along routes designated by Tehran.

The Guards warned that any further US intervention would trigger a "crushing response."

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also reiterated Tehran's position, writing on X that the Strait of Hormuz "will be reopened only under Iranian arrangements, not through US threats."

Regional diplomacy continues

Amid the renewed fighting, diplomatic efforts continued behind the scenes.

Qatar condemned attacks on commercial shipping while urging all sides to return to negotiations. The foreign ministers of Turkey and Oman separately spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, stressing the need to prevent further escalation.

Araqchi also held talks with Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and accused the United States of pursuing "warmongering policies."