The United States has launched a second round of airstrikes against Iran, escalating the conflict in the Middle East. President Donald Trump had warned that Tehran would 'pay the price' for stalled negotiations, prompting Iran to respond with strikes targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
US Strikes Target Iranian Military Sites
US Central Command announced it had 'completed' its latest round of airstrikes just before sunrise in Iran. The strikes targeted 'Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites,' carried out by the US Air Force, Marines, and Navy. Explosions echoed across Tehran, the port city of Bandar Abbas, and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Retaliation and Regional Impact
Iran retaliated by launching strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Kuwait closed its airspace as its air defenses fought off the attack, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirming flights were being diverted to other airports. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it fired ballistic missiles at a US command center in Jordan, according to state media. Iran's UN envoy urged the US to refrain from threats of force if it seeks a diplomatic resolution.
Broader Developments
Israel early on Thursday warned residents in the north to seek shelter after detecting suspected incoming fire from Lebanon. The international benchmark for crude oil traded above $93 a barrel on Wednesday, up more than 25% since the start of the war. The back-and-forth strikes between the US and Iran mark the second consecutive day of hostilities, testing the fragile two-month ceasefire. Efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict remain stalled, with Iran insisting on maintaining its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz.
