Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched missiles at American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait this morning, destroying radar systems in Oman and striking fuel tanks and ammunition depots at Prince Hassan air base in Jordan, in a wave of retaliatory strikes against the US.
Jordan said it intercepted and downed four missiles fired from Iranian territory, while Kuwait’s military reported it was intercepting “hostile aerial targets” in its airspace. The attacks came hours after the US had pounded “dozens” of Iranian sites overnight, including air defence systems, radar sites, and missile and drone equipment.
“Iran retaliates against US strikes by targeting American bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman.”
Washington’s latest assault, which Centcom said was aimed at “degrading Iran’s ability to continue attacking international shipping” through the Strait of Hormuz, saw American forces use one-way attack sea drones for the first time in the conflict, alongside fighter aircraft and naval vessels. Over the weekend, the US had already struck at least 140 Iranian targets – a massive blitz that Donald Trump, who has called the interim ceasefire “over” and denounced Iran’s “scum” leadership, ordered after Tehran fired on a Cyprus-flagged tanker.
The tit-for-tat strikes have shattered a 60-day memorandum of understanding meant to serve as a temporary ceasefire. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei insisted Tehran had “never been the first to violate its commitments” and had acted “in good faith and seriousness” during the truce. But the escalation over the Strait of Hormuz – through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas usually flows – has deepened.
“The strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade,” US Central Command said. “Iran does not control it.” The Revolutionary Guards, which control Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, shot back: “It is our territory.” Shipping through the waterway has plunged; tracking data shows only six vessels crossed on Sunday, the lowest rate in five weeks. Oil prices have continued to climb as uncertainty grips the region.
Mediators including Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt are still pressing for a final agreement, even as Trump has suggested the interim deal is dead. Iran’s Baghaei claimed Tehran is trying to agree a joint mechanism with Oman to manage the strait, but accused Washington of pressuring Oman – without specifying how. An Omani proposal to fully reopen both shipping lanes, reported by US outlet Axios, has yet to gain traction. With Iran striking US allies and the US hitting back, the 60-day window for a permanent end to the war launched in late February appears to be closing fast.
