At least 18 people were killed and 142 wounded in recent US air strikes in Iran, the Health Ministry said Thursday, as regional tensions rise following a month-long lull. Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour said the casualties occurred from August 30 to September 2, including 61 women and 44 children among the wounded. Two women and one child were killed. Washington said its forces targeted Iranian launchers on Larak Island over preparations to deploy rockets carrying sea mines.