U.S. Projectiles Strike Bushehr Nuclear Plant and Military Bases

The United States launched a series of projectile attacks against strategic sites in southern Iran on July 9 and 10, 2026. The strikes targeted the perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Choghadak military base, and a fishing pier in Bushehr province. A separate U.S. attack hit a pier in Asaluyeh, causing fires among local fishing boats.

Initial reports from Iranian state media and Deputy Governor Ehsan Jahanian described a projectile hitting a military headquarters on the outskirts of Bushehr. While U.S. defense officials initially denied conducting strikes, subsequent reports confirmed the targets included the nuclear facility's perimeter. The attacks occurred amid extreme regional instability following February 28 airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

No immediate casualties were reported, though several Russian personnel were evacuated from the nuclear plant. Iranian authorities have since begun restoring operations at the facility, with the first six employees returning. The International Atomic Energy Agency is monitoring the situation and has urged all parties to exercise restraint, as experts warn that direct attacks on nuclear facilities could have devastating consequences for the region.