WASHINGTON–TEHRAN, July 20. /Dunyo IA/. The United States carried out a ninth consecutive night of strikes on Iran as Tehran responded with attacks on U.S. military facilities and reported new incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing Reuters.

U.S. forces launched a new wave of strikes overnight. U.S. Central Command said the operation was aimed at further degrading Iran's military capabilities and preventing attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, U.S. missiles struck several cities, including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would continue striking Iran as long as Tehran attacks international shipping. He added that the United States remains open to a diplomatic solution.

In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted U.S. facilities near Al-Tanf in Syria, Aqaba Airport in Jordan, and the Camp Al-Adiri and Ali Al Salem bases in Kuwait. Kuwaiti authorities said a desalination plant came under attack for the second consecutive day, causing a fire.

The IRGC also claimed that two oil tankers exploded and were left immobilized in the Strait of Hormuz. The reports have not been independently verified. According to media reports, four vessels transited the strait, down from eight the previous day.

The Washington Post, citing U.S. officials, reported that the Pentagon is considering expanding its military campaign against Iran following the deaths of American service members in Jordan. However, the sources said the scope of any expanded operation could be limited by dwindling air defense stocks, long-range munitions and combat damage to military equipment.

According to U.S. Central Command, 17 American service members have been killed and more than 420 wounded since the conflict began.