Iran war: US attacks Qeshm Island, Iran strikes Gulf states

A new exchange of fire has erupted between the United States and Iran, despite ongoing efforts for a ceasefire and peace negotiations. Both nations have reported attacks on military bases and commercial vessels, escalating tensions in the region.

The U.S. military announced it had struck an Iranian military ground station on Qeshm Island, labeling the action as "self-defense strikes." These claims could not be independently verified. Earlier, Iran launched missiles targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. According to the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), two projectiles aimed at Kuwait either crashed or broke apart in mid-air, while three others were intercepted by U.S. and Bahraini forces. The U.S. forces also reported destroying three Iranian drones that were allegedly targeting civilian sailors.

“

The endangering of security in the Strait of Hormuz will come at a high cost for the U.S. military.

Kuwait and Bahrain had reported missile and drone attacks, triggering air raid sirens and calls for residents to seek safety. Iranian state media reported that Iran's attacks targeted the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and an airbase in the region. The Revolutionary Guard was quoted by Iranian media stating that "endangering security in the Strait of Hormuz will come at a high cost for the U.S. military."

In response to the U.S. strikes on Qeshm and an alleged attack on an Iranian tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, the Revolutionary Guard's navy reportedly fired missiles at the container ship MSC Panaya. An Iranian military spokesperson stated that their earlier warnings of decisive retaliation for any aggression had been implemented, intended as a lesson. The U.S. military had previously reported striking an unmanned oil tanker in the Persian Gulf under a Botswana flag, disabling it in international waters off Kharg Island, as the vessel attempted to dock at an Iranian port.

“

We had warned that any aggression would entail another and more decisive response, and we have implemented it. These responses should be a lesson.