Iran Health Ministry Reports 57 Dead in Southern US Attack

TEHRAN — Iran's Health Ministry announced on Friday that the death toll from a recent U.S. military strike in southern Iran has risen to at least 57, with more than 517 people injured.

The ministry issued the updated figures late Thursday evening as emergency teams continued working through the night to treat survivors and recover bodies from impact sites scattered across several provinces bordering the Persian Gulf. Officials described the incident as a targeted aggression that struck civilian infrastructure alongside military installations in the region.

"We are mobilizing all available medical resources to address this humanitarian crisis," said Dr. Ali Rezaei, a senior official with the ministry's emergency response unit. "The scale of casualties is significant, and we anticipate further updates as assessment teams reach remote locations affected by the explosion."

Iranian state media broadcast footage showing damaged buildings, burning vehicles, and crowds gathering at makeshift triage centers in cities including Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas. Local hospitals reported being overwhelmed with patients suffering from burns, shrapnel wounds, and respiratory distress caused by smoke inhalation.

The United States has not officially commented on the specific operation or confirmed responsibility for the strike as of Friday afternoon. However, Iranian officials have explicitly attributed the attack to American forces, labeling it a terrorist act intended to destabilize the region. Tehran's leadership condemned the action in strong terms, with senior clerics calling for immediate accountability and warning that further retaliatory measures could follow.

Regional tensions escalated sharply following the incident, with diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran reportedly severed temporarily. Neighboring countries expressed concern over potential spillover effects as air defense systems across the Gulf region were placed on high alert.

The exact nature of the targets struck remains unclear. While Iranian authorities claim civilian areas were hit directly, no independent verification has been established regarding whether military assets were also among those destroyed in the blast zone. Questions persist about the specific weaponry used and the strategic objectives behind the timing of the strike.

As rescue operations continue into a second day, families are searching for missing relatives amid chaotic conditions at local morgues and hospitals. The Health Ministry stated that it is coordinating with international aid organizations to manage the influx of casualties but stopped short of requesting external assistance directly from Western nations.

The situation remains fluid as both sides assess their next moves. With no ceasefire or de-escalation agreement in place, observers warn that the incident could mark a turning point in long-standing hostilities between Iran and the United States.