US confirms strikes on Iran after intercepting missiles; air alerts sound in Middle East

The United States military has confirmed intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, subsequently launching "self-defense strikes" against Iranian military positions on Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz. The actions come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with air raid sirens activated in Kuwait and Bahrain following reports of missile and drone attacks.

Both Kuwait and Bahrain reported Iranian strikes targeting US military bases within their territories, according to their state news agencies and interior ministries. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed these attacks as retaliation for the US strikes on Qeshm. These developments occur while negotiations for a ceasefire between the US and Iran are reportedly ongoing, though reports on the progress of these talks have varied.

In a separate incident, the US military conducted an attack on an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, preventing it from reaching an Iranian port. The tanker, registered in Botswana, was en route to Iran's Kharg island, a major oil refining hub. The US military released footage of the strike, stating the crew ignored repeated warnings and instructions. This action is part of a broader US blockade against Iranian ports, which commenced on April 13 and prohibits ships from sailing to or from Iranian ports in the Oman Gulf and the Persian Gulf.

The article also briefly mentions unrelated news, including the US administration dropping a controversial $1.8 billion fund intended for Trump allies and reports of a record-warm spring.