The United States said it carried out a new wave of airstrikes against Iran overnight, marking the 11th consecutive night of military operations as the conflict continues to escalate.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes targeted military operations centres, naval assets, aircraft shelters, drone storage facilities and military logistics infrastructure. The US military said the aim was to reduce Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions reported in Tehran
Air defence systems were activated in Tehran, with explosions reported in the northeastern part of the Iranian capital shortly after the US military announced the latest strikes.
Iranian state media also reported anti-aircraft fire over the city.
According to the German news agency dpa, this was the first time Tehran had come under attack since the current US-Iran conflict intensified on 7 July.
War cost climbs to $37.5 billion
Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate committee that the conflict has so far cost the United States $37.5 billion, including projected expenditures through 30 September.
Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared before lawmakers to present a $67 billion supplemental funding request aimed at covering part of the war's costs and replenishing military stockpiles.
The administration has also requested $1.5 trillion to fund the Defense Department in the next fiscal year.
Pentagon seeks additional funding
Hegseth described the funding request as an urgent measure to rebuild precision weapons inventories depleted during recent operations.
He said $21 billion of the supplemental package would be dedicated to operational readiness, including replacing equipment used in combat.
Questions over next phase of conflict
Lawmakers pressed Pentagon officials on the administration's strategy, President Donald Trump's pledge to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities and plans to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Caine said the United States faces military challenges across the Middle East, Europe and the Indo-Pacific, but did not say whether the conflict with Iran could escalate further or lead to a ground invasion.
Source: CNA
