The United States and Iran exchanged new strikes early Thursday, escalating tensions and nearing a possible all-out war. President Trump had insisted on maintaining military pressure on Tehran, accusing Iranian leaders of delaying negotiations.
According to the U.S. military’s Central Command, the attacks commenced shortly after midnight in Tehran. Explosions occurred in Qeshm near the Strait of Hormuz and the southern cities of Bandar Abbas, Minab, and Sirik, as reported by Iranian news outlets. Central Command announced around 4:30 a.m. in Iran that these strikes had concluded. Trump had previously stated that further American strikes would occur the next night if Tehran did not engage in discussions to end the conflict that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes in late February.
Iran retaliated with two waves of strikes on U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, although confirmation was pending. Iran also announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships, a claim the U.S. military denied.
Kuwait intercepted hostile targets, and its civil aviation authority temporarily closed its airspace, citing threats to civilian aircraft. Bahrain activated warning sirens, while the reason remained undisclosed.
Strike Details and Responses
U.S. strikes occurred 24 hours after initial attacks responding to the downing of an American Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s counterattacks targeted American bases.
President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the new strikes aimed to pressure Tehran into accepting peace terms favorable to the U.S. “If we need to negotiate with bombs, we will,” Hegseth stated to reporters in Tampa, Florida.
The intensity of U.S. attacks casts doubt on Trump’s assurances of an imminent peace deal with Iran and undermines the credibility of a cease-fire declared two months ago. “The cease-fire resembles a lesser-fire,” said António Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, reflecting on the escalating events.
Further Developments
Analysis by The New York Times reveals that U.S. precision strikes on Wednesday damaged drinking-water facilities in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province. Over 20,000 people lost water access for about 12 hours. Central Command did not comment on the water facility strike.
President Trump revealed a mission to transport millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, although a U.S. military official downplayed the operation’s secrecy. The mission involved guiding commercial vessels across the strait, with U.S. Central Command reportedly escorting over 200 ships in the past month.
Bahrain reported injuries from falling debris due to the interception of Iranian drones. Both Kuwait and Bahrain remain vigilant as tensions persist.
Military and Strategic Implications
The U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes against Iranian military surveillance, communication systems, and air defense sites. The Revolutionary Guards in Iraq retaliated with strikes on U.S. air bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, claiming to have destroyed targets, although this remains unverified.
Iran warned of further retaliation, with Gen. Majid Mousavi from the Revolutionary Guards stating, “You are making the holy Strait of Hormuz unsafe? We will turn the entire region into hell from across Iran.”
Residents in areas like Karaj and other strategic military sites heard loud explosions. Claims of damage remain to be independently corroborated.
The ongoing conflict highlights the fragile geopolitical situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies. Both sides seem entrenched, potentially leading to future confrontations.