Iran launched retaliatory attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain on Thursday following US air and cruise missile strikes, as hostilities intensified after President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations.
The escalation came shortly after a second round of U.S. airstrikes overnight, targeting military surveillance, communications, and air defence sites. Bahrain, the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, was among the locations hit. Explosions were reported in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, and other southern cities along the Strait of Hormuz, reports AP/UNB.
The renewed assaults occurred as efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict faltered. Iran insisted on maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz, while Israeli strikes against the Iranian-aligned Hezbollah in Lebanon further complicated talks. On Monday, Iran and Israel exchanged attacks.
In Wednesday’s initial exchange, Iran fired missiles at Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan in response to U.S. strikes following the downing of an American helicopter in the strait. The U.S. Central Command said Thursday’s airstrikes were carried out by the Air Force, Marines, and Navy, but provided no details on the damage inflicted.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the U.S. attacks had “effectively rendered the ceasefire … meaningless,” without indicating it would abandon the ceasefire entirely.
