The United States launched fresh strikes against Iran and revoked a temporary licence allowing Iranian oil sales on Tuesday, triggering an Iranian attack targeting US bases in the Gulf.
The renewed hostilities threatened to unravel a fragile ceasefire and negotiations that aim to end war in the Middle East.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had struck Iran in response to attacks on commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Within hours of the US operation, Iran launched a retaliatory missile and drone assault across the Gulf. Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, sounded its missile alert sirens, while the Kuwaiti army announced it was actively responding to incoming aerial attacks.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility on state media, stating their Navy and Aerospace forces had targeted 85 key US military facilities across both nations and downed an MQ-9 drone. There was no independent confirmation of damage or losses.
“US Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway,” CENTCOM said in an initial statement.