Iran Accuses US of Strike Near Nuclear Plant Amid Escalating Tensions

Iran accused the United States of a strike near a nuclear power plant on Thursday after the US military said it had struck dozens of sites across Iran in a second blistering night of attacks.

Iran's deputy governor of Bushehr province told state media a US projectile struck the area surrounding Iran’s Bushehr power plant, shortly after reports of explosions in the southern coastal region.

The official said several locations in Bushehr province, including the perimeter area of the nuclear facility, were hit in US attacks, without specifying when.

Sirens sounded in Jordan on Thursday early afternoon after the detection of missiles from Iran, according to the country’s state news agency.

That came amid heightened tensions after Iran launched fresh attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in response the wave of US attacks overnight.

President Donald Trump has explained why he switched back to the old Air Force One rather than flying in the Qatari-gifted jet amid scrutiny over security concerns.

Trump told reporters Wednesday he was taking the older plane home “for old time’s sake” while the $400 million jet tours an air force base housing U.S. troops.

When asked later Wednesday en route to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after leaving this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, about a potential security concern that could have caused the switch, the president denied there was one.

The deputy governor of Bushehr province told state media on Thursday that a US projectile hit the area surrounding the nuclear plant.

The official said several locations in Bushehr were hit in US attacks.

Missile alert sirens are also sounding over Jordan, according to local television.

Iran has been hitting US-linked targets in response to renewed strikes in Iran.

There was no immediate confirmation of incoming projectiles.

Iranian state media is now reporting that the perimeter of Bushehr nuclear power plant has been hit by a US projectile.

Earlier they reported on explosions in the area, but it was unclear what caused them.

The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, and Tehran responded by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in crossfire that again threatened an interim deal intended to help end the war in the Persian Gulf.

The strikes came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of the fragile ceasefire.

The U.S. struck a variety of military sites and port facilities early Wednesday after Iran targeted several merchant vessels off the coast of Oman, sparking Iranian fire then as well.

Watch: Trump says he's 'number one' on Iran's target list

Iranian state media is reporting fresh explosions in Bushehr.

The reports could not immediately be verified, and it was unclear what may have caused them.

It follows a wave of US strikes overnight.

Bahrain’s army said in a statement on Thursday it had “thwarted” the latest Iranian attacks at its territory.

Watch: US forces strike 90 military targets along Iran’s coastline