Mystery airstrikes hit Iran after U.S. declares mission complete, raising questions about unidentified attacker

Mysterious, unclaimed airstrikes hit southern Iran on July 9, 2026, shortly after U.S. Central Command announced the completion of a 90-target military campaign. The strikes occurred during funeral preparations for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hitting areas near the Bushehr nuclear plant. While President Donald Trump declared the interim ceasefire agreement over, both the U.S. and Iran have agreed to continue diplomatic talks. Meanwhile, regional tensions escalate as Iran threatens the UAE over alleged U.S. cooperation, and Israel stands ready to resume its own aerial campaign.

Unclaimed airstrikes on Iran

• ▪An Iranian official accused the United States of launching an airstrike near Iran's sole civilian nuclear power plant in Bushehr around noon on July 9, 2026
• ▪Unclaimed airstrikes and explosions targeted Iran's Bushehr and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, and the cities of Ahvaz and Chabahar on July 9, 2026
• ▪The unclaimed airstrikes on July 9, 2026, occurred as Iran prepared to bury the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

U.S. military operations completion

• ▪U.S. Central Command did not respond to requests for comment regarding the additional, unclaimed airstrikes that occurred after its announced mission completion
• ▪U.S. Central Command announced it concluded a round of airstrikes hitting 90 targets in Iran around 6:30 a.m. local time on July 9, 2026

Strait of Hormuz shipping dispute

• ▪Daily ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to 22 on July 9, 2026, down from 30 on Wednesday and 41 on Tuesday
• ▪Iran demands sole control over the Strait of Hormuz and insists transiting vessels must pay fees to Tehran
• ▪The Joint Maritime Information Center issued an advisory on July 10, 2026, urging mariners to use an expanded southern route through Oman's territorial waters

Gulf states involvement speculation

• ▪Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kousari accused the United Arab Emirates of playing a behind-the-scenes role in supporting the recent United States attacks
• ▪Gulf Arab states did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday, July 10, 2026, regarding the unclaimed airstrikes

Iranian retaliation threats

• ▪Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the Israeli military is on alert and ready to renew its aerial campaign in Iran with greater force
• ▪Esmail Kousari warned that the United Arab Emirates would pay the price for its cooperation with the United States

Ceasefire collapse negotiations resumption

• ▪President Donald Trump declared on social media that the interim ceasefire agreement with Iran is over, but confirmed the United States agreed to continue talks
• ▪Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stated Iran remains committed to the agreement if the United States complies, but otherwise will not be bound by it