US military strikes on southern Iran on September 1 killed 18 people and left 108 others wounded, Iranian Health Minister Mohammad Reza Zafargandi said.
Reporting by state broadcaster IRIB cited Zafargandi as stating that 18 people lost their lives and 108 compatriots were injured during attacks directed at various provinces across the country.
The strikes took place on September 1 when the Armed Forces of the United States targeted two oil tankers belonging to the Iranian government. The action was carried out under a new strategy termed tanker for tanker, which was adopted by US President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump, who serves as president of the United States, has frequently used direct military strikes and maritime interdictions as part of US foreign policy in the Middle East. The strategy of targeting oil vessels reflects ongoing friction over shipping lanes and oil exports in the region.
US Attacks on Larak Island
Prior to the strikes on the two oil vessels, US military forces launched attacks against Iranian launch pads situated on Larak Island. Official details indicated that the bombardment was the first known US military strike against targets in Iran since late July.
Larak Island is an Iranian island located in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, off the southern coast of Iran. The narrow channel connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serves as one of the world's primary transit chokepoints for global oil shipments.
Southern Iran spans several coastal provinces along the Persian Gulf, including Hormozgan and Bushehr. These coastal regions house key energy infrastructure, commercial seaports, and military facilities monitoring vessel traffic through international waters.
Official Reporting and Medical Response
Mohammad Reza Zafargandi serves as Iran's minister of health and medical education, the cabinet official responsible for public health administration and emergency medical responses throughout Iran's 31 provinces.
State broadcaster IRIB, formally known as Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, is Iran's state-run media corporation. It operates national television networks and news agencies under government direction, serving as the official channel for government announcements.
