Middle East — 2026-07-10

US Strikes Hit Perimeter of Iran Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant as Fresh Attacks Kill 17 After Ceasefire Collapses

BLUFTrump's declared end to the ceasefire makes additional US strikes on Iranian territory very likely by July 24, with repeated operations near Bushehr increasing pressure for IAEA or Security Council intervention on targeting norms.

Iranian state media, citing Bushehr deputy governor Ehsan Jahanian, reported a US strike Thursday hit the perimeter of the Bushehr nuclear plant, a military base at Choghadak and a fishing pier nearby, with no casualties reported 12. US officials told The Jerusalem Post and CNN that American forces were not responsible for the Bushehr-area explosions, with Israel also denying involvement, directly disputing Iran's attribution. Haaretz reported the same strikes hit the Aq Taqeh Khan railway bridge in Golestan province, northeastern Iran, a rail link used for trade with Russia and China, with Iran threatening retaliation against US bases if attacks continue . Iranian officials said two days of US strikes killed 17 people and characterized the campaign as targeting civilian infrastructure, calling it a "gross war crime" 1, after President Trump declared the ceasefire "over" and warned that US action would "get much worse" if Iran continued targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz 3. Iran said it resumed strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar in response 1.

Analysis
Trump's public declaration ending the ceasefire converts intermittent retaliatory exchanges into a stated policy of open-ended strikes, terminating the April ceasefire and June accord as the operative framework governing US-Iran hostilities. The US will very likely conduct at least one additional strike on Iranian territory within the next two weeks, by July 24. Continued strikes near an operational reactor site raise the probability of IAEA intervention or a Security Council session on nuclear-facility targeting norms, independent of whether Bushehr itself sustains damage. Moderate confidence rests on the clarity of Trump's public threat balanced against the absence of any indicator specifying next strike timing or targets.

5 sources

US strike targeted perimeter of Bushehr nuclear plant: Iran - Arab News
Perimeter of Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant hit by US projectile - CGTN
US Strike Near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant Sparks Fresh Nuclear Safety Fears - Outlook India
Iran Says U.S. Strikes Targeted Bushehr Nuclear Plant, Warns of Retaliation Against American Bases - Haaretz
Deputy governor: US projectile hit perimeter of Bushehr nuclear plant, Choghadak military base, fishing pier - IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency, via Ehsan Jahanian, Bushehr deputy governor for political, security and social affairs)