The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified on Thursday, with Washington launching fresh strikes on Iranian military positions and Tehran retaliating by targeting US allies across the Gulf, deepening tensions around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation marks the sixth day of renewed hostilities despite a preliminary agreement reached in June that had sought to bring an end to the conflict.
In a statement, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces carried out coordinated strikes on several Iranian military sites, including facilities in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas, with the aim of reducing Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CENTCOM, earlier operations also targeted coastal defence systems and cruise missile installations on Greater Tunb Island in the Gulf.
Iranian state news agency IRNA reported explosions in several parts of the country, including Lorestan Province in the west and Semnan in the north. Air defence systems were also activated in parts of Tehran as the attacks unfolded.
Shortly after the strikes, Kuwait announced that it had intercepted Iranian drones, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens amid reports of attacks linked to Tehran.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the conflict due to its critical role in global oil and gas exports.
Iran had blockaded the waterway following the outbreak of war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, using the passage as a key source of leverage against its adversaries. Although the route briefly reopened after last month’s US-Iran agreement, Tehran warned last week that it would once again remain closed “until the US ends its aggression”.
Iran’s military also announced that it had launched drone attacks against US military facilities in Jordan.
State broadcaster IRIB quoted the military as saying the operation was carried out “in response to the enemy aggression”.
Earlier, the US military said one of its aircraft disabled an empty oil tanker attempting to breach the naval blockade around Iranian ports.
In neighbouring Iraq, Kurdish security forces reported that the US-led coalition intercepted and destroyed eight explosive-laden drones over Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region. Explosions were heard near the US consulate, with smoke seen rising from the area.
Iraqi Prime Minister later condemned the “drone attack”, although no group or country was identified as being responsible.
Despite the renewed exchange of attacks, diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran have not officially collapsed.
Speaking to Fox News, US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of further military action if negotiations fail.
“Next week it gets really bad for them,” Trump said, adding that the United States could target power plants and bridges unless Iran returns to the negotiating table.
Iran, however, maintained that the June understanding would only remain valid if its terms continued to benefit both parties.
Senior Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, “a memorandum of understanding only has meaning when its clauses are valid and being implemented”.
He added, “If Iran is not to derive any benefit from the memorandum of understanding, we have no reason to adhere.”
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained significantly reduced, with maritime tracking firm Kpler reporting only 21 vessel transits on Tuesday. Oil prices also rose following the latest military developments, while the United States maintained its blockade of Iranian ports.
Residents in affected areas described growing fear as the conflict widened.
Khadijeh, a 31-year-old artisan from Qasr-e Shirin, said, “The little children are so frightened by the sound of explosions that they don’t sleep until morning.
“If, God forbid, the war becomes more intense, then perhaps it will take several generations before we can get back on our feet.”
Similar concerns were expressed in Gulf countries repeatedly targeted by Iranian strikes.
A Sudanese accountant based in Kuwait, Mustafa Mohamed, said, “Every day, I wake up wondering whether the situation will de-escalate or worsen.”
Meanwhile, President Trump disclosed that an American citizen, identified by her lawyer as Dena Karari, had left Iran after being detained in the country since December 2024.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, “The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!”
Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said at least 30 people had been killed since renewed US attacks began last week.
The Iranian military separately confirmed that nine of its personnel died in Wednesday’s strikes in the country’s southeast.
State media also reported that a hospital in Ahvaz was evacuated following US airstrikes, with patients transferred to other medical facilities as a precaution.
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