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الوسم: explosions

  • US-Iran Tensions Persist with Seventh Consecutive Night of Strikes

    US-Iran Tensions Persist with Seventh Consecutive Night of Strikes

    Iran escalated its attacks against US allies in the Gulf on Saturday, following a seventh consecutive night of American strikes targeting Iranian military positions, including logistical hubs. This increase in hostilities marks a significant escalation just one week after a fragile ceasefire unraveled.

    Both parties targeted maritime traffic, with the US asserting it was enforcing a naval blockade, while Iran claimed its forces attacked vessels that crossed its rules in the Strait of Hormuz—a key waterway for approximately 20% of the world’s oil.

    Oil prices surged over 4% on Friday, reaching their highest point in more than a month, intensifying political pressure on President Donald Trump as the Republican Party campaigns for control of Congress in November elections.

    Since the ceasefire failed last week, Washington and Tehran have been testing the waters of escalation, with fears mounting of a possible full-scale war. The US Central Command reported launching strikes on surveillance sites, military logistics facilities, underground weapons caches, and maritime assets, employing fighter jets, drones, and naval ships. A statement from Central Command emphasized that over 50,000 American troops remain vigilant across the Middle East, ready to respond.

    Reports emerged from Iranian media that several missiles hit power plants and desalination stations in Jask, a southern Iranian city, cutting off water supplies in nearby villages. Meanwhile, the US announced it had redirected four ships, disabled one vessel, and boarded another to uphold its naval blockade of Iran.

    Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they intercepted four ships attempting to violate their navigation rules through a combined missile and drone operation. There were claims of explosions and fires on two oil tankers passing a mined route south of the strait, but the US military dismissed those reports as false.

    Additionally, armed individuals seized another vessel off Yemen, raising concerns over security at another critical choke point for oil shipments in the Red Sea. Iran’s state television cited the Revolutionary Guards, stating that without an end to US “aggression,” Iran would be unable to export chemicals or even a single drop of oil or gas from the region.

    Mohsen Rezaei, an advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, issued a warning on Friday about US escalation and the potential seizure of Iranian territory.

    The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed concern about the ongoing escalation, particularly regarding attacks on civilian infrastructure within Iran and across the wider region. His spokesperson emphasized that the UN was closely monitoring the situation.

    Early Saturday, Iran reported strikes in Hormozgan Province along the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in three deaths and eight injuries, with damage to bridges and a road tunnel. Explosions and strikes were also reported in several cities including Sirik, Ahvaz, Yazd, Jask, and Khorramabad late Friday and early Saturday.

    President Trump has threatened widespread airstrikes on Iran’s infrastructure and has not ruled out a ground invasion of Iran’s coast or islands. U.S. officials suggest that attacks in southern Iran serve to provide Trump with multiple options should the situation escalate further.

  • How Much Did the US Spend in the First Week of Iran Conflict?

    How Much Did the US Spend in the First Week of Iran Conflict?

    The initial week of the U.S. military operations against Iran has resulted in an expenditure of approximately $6 billion, with about $4 billion allocated to munitions and advanced missile interceptors. Pentagon officials informed Congress that additional funding will likely be necessary to maintain ongoing operations and restock supplies. These financial details emerged during congressional hearings held earlier this week.

    A report from The New York Times indicates that around 4,000 Iranian targets have been hit, including missile launchers, naval vessels, and air defense systems, significantly impairing Tehran’s capacity to retaliate. General Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, noted that Iran’s ballistic missile launches have decreased by nearly 90% since the conflict began, while drone attacks have fallen by about 83%. Nonetheless, he emphasized that Iran still possesses substantial military strength, including roughly half of its missile inventory.

    In Washington, lawmakers are gearing up for a potential request from the Biden administration for supplementary funding in the coming weeks, amid rising scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans over the rapid pace of spending. Critics warn that costly interceptor missiles—some priced in the millions per unit—are being deployed so frequently that they could strain the U.S. defense industrial base and cause shortages in other strategic regions.

    The conflict was triggered on February 28 when the U.S. and Israel carried out extensive strikes on Iran, reportedly resulting in over 1,200 casualties, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous senior military officials. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks directed at Gulf nations, U.S. military bases, diplomatic sites, and military personnel across the region, as well as multiple Israeli cities.

    This heightened tension has also raised concerns about global energy supplies, especially as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—an essential route that moves about 20 million barrels of oil daily—has significantly declined.

  • Indonesia investigates student after nearly 100 injured in school blasts

    Indonesia investigates student after nearly 100 injured in school blasts

    Indonesian authorities announced on Saturday that they are investigating a student suspected of involvement in explosions that injured nearly 100 individuals at a school in Jakarta. The blasts targeted a school mosque in North Jakarta during Friday prayers, causing widespread panic among the worshippers.

    The national police chief reported that investigators have collected “multiple pieces of evidence” during their investigation. He stated, “There’s writing, and there’s also evidence of powder that could have caused an explosion,” in comments aired on Kompas TV.

    While officials have identified one suspect—a student injured in the blasts—they have not ruled out the possibility of other accomplices. Law enforcement is also scrutinizing the suspect’s family and social media accounts for additional clues.

    The number of those wounded has risen to 96, updating the initial count of 54. Of these, 29 remain hospitalized, with at least two in intensive care.

    Mayndra Eka Wardhana, spokesperson for the counter-terrorism unit Densus 88, told AFP that authorities had conducted a search of the suspect’s residence. The investigation continues to focus on uncovering the motive behind the attack.

    A witness, Kinza Ghaisan Rayyan, a 17-year-old student, described initial confusion about the source of the explosion. She said, “At first, we thought it came from some electronic equipment, maybe the sound system… but it turned out the explosion originated underneath the prayer mat.”

  • Teenage Suspect Identified in Indonesian Mosque Blast Injuries

    Teenage Suspect Identified in Indonesian Mosque Blast Injuries

    Explosions at a mosque within a Jakarta school complex that injured dozens during Friday prayers may have been an attack, according to officials. A 17-year-old suspect is currently undergoing surgery, though details about the motive remain undisclosed.

    Police reported that 55 individuals were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor burns to more severe trauma following the blasts at the mosque in the Kelapa Gading district. Witness Luciana, 43, who was working in the school canteen at the time, explained, “The explosion was so loud I couldn’t breathe out of shock.” She recounted hearing multiple blasts that caused panic among those fleeing the area, believing initially that it was a short circuit or a malfunction in the sound system.

    Jakarta’s deputy house speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, confirmed the suspect’s surgery but did not elaborate on possible motives.

    Authorities have launched an investigation, with city police chief Asep Edi Suheri stating, “We are examining the scene, establishing a perimeter, and sterilizing the area.” While Indonesia has a history of attacks targeting churches and Western establishments, mosques have generally remained unscathed, and radical militant activity has been largely curtailed in recent years.

    Footage from local media depicted a well-maintained mosque with shoes lined outside and no visible exterior damage, surrounded by police tape. State news agency Antara reported that there were two explosions. Security measures included armed officers at the mosque’s gates, alongside emergency and armored vehicles parked nearby.

    The site is situated in a densely populated section of North Jakarta, predominantly occupied by military personnel and retirees on navy-controlled land.

  • School blast in Indonesia injures over 20 students and staff

    School blast in Indonesia injures over 20 students and staff

    Two explosions took place near a mosque on a high school campus in North Jakarta, Indonesia, injuring at least 20 people, according to officials. The incidents occurred around 12:15 p.m. local time (05:15 GMT), with the blasts happening at the back of the mosque near its entrance, as reported by Deputy Coordinating Minister of Politics and Security Lodewijk Friedrich Paulus.

    Authorities have cordoned off the area and dispatched a bomb squad to secure the scene while investigations continue into the cause. The police described the affected number of individuals as approximately 54, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate, and some victims have already been released from hospitals. Lodewijk emphasized that the situation is still under investigation and cautioned the public not to jump to conclusions, including assuming terrorism.

    Jakarta police chief Asep Edi Suheri provided a slightly different account earlier, mentioning an explosion “in the vicinity” of the high school and confirming that about 20 people were injured, including three with severe injuries. Emergency responders have set up information posts at two hospitals to assist family members in locating injured loved ones. The scene remains under active investigation as authorities analyze evidence and gather more details.

  • Explosions at Moscow-Area Military Base Leave Four Injured

    Explosions at Moscow-Area Military Base Leave Four Injured

    Moscow Military Base Experiences Explosive Fire Incident

    MOSCOW: A fire erupted at a military installation located east of Moscow on Tuesday, resulting in a series of explosions that left four individuals injured and prompted the evacuation of approximately 450 others, as reported by the regional governor.

    Alexander Avdeev, the governor of the Vladimir Region, shared on Telegram that the fire originated from an ammunition storage area in the Kirzhach District, where munitions caught fire and subsequent explosions occurred.

    The Ministry of Defence indicated that the incident was due to a failure to adhere to safety protocols, leading to the detonation of stored ammunition within a warehouse.

    Authorities declared a state of emergency and are collaborating with the Defence and Emergencies Ministries to ensure the area is secured. Three of the injured individuals are receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

    Avdeev mentioned that the military base had been cleared along with residents from at least seven neighboring settlements.

    Unverified footage published on various Telegram channels depicted a massive fireball and plumes of thick smoke ascending into the air.

    A Telegram channel linked to security services, Baza, reported that at least 10 to 11 explosions had been detected and that firefighting teams from nearby regions had been dispatched to combat the fire.