The United States has launched a new wave of airstrikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Gulf states hosting U.S. military assets and pushing the region closer to a wider conflict.
U.S. Central Command said its forces struck about 90 targets inside Iran, including missile launchers, air defense systems, and military infrastructure. Washington said the operation was carried out in response to Iranian attacks and threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by launching missile and drone attacks toward Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, where U.S. forces maintain key bases. Air raid sirens were reported in parts of the Gulf, though immediate damage assessments remained unclear.
President Donald Trump said Iran had violated the terms of a fragile interim understanding and warned that further U.S. strikes could follow if Tehran continued targeting American interests or regional allies.
Iran condemned the U.S. attacks as aggression and accused Washington of threatening regional stability. Iranian officials vowed to continue retaliating if strikes on Iranian territory persist.
The latest exchange has placed Gulf countries on high alert and raised fears of disruption to global energy supplies, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Diplomatic efforts are still underway, with Qatar and other mediators pushing both sides to return to talks. But analysts warn that repeated strikes and counterstrikes could quickly collapse what remains of the ceasefire framework.
