The United States and Iran exchanged a second round of military strikes on Thursday after a ceasefire linked to the Strait of Hormuz broke down, widening the conflict across the Gulf as Ali Khamenei’s funeral reached its final stage in Iran.
Tehran announced attacks on US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, after Washington said it had struck about 90 military targets across Iran overnight.
US Central Command said the operation targeted air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance assets, naval infrastructure and logistics sites. The military said the strikes aimed to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Sirik, Chabahar, Konarak, Iranshahr, Qeshm Island, Abu Musa Island and other locations along the country’s southern coast.
Iran’s Health Ministry said US attacks over the past two days killed 14 people and injured 78. Officials said 47 wounded people remained in hospital. State media also reported that one firefighter died in an attack on Iranshahr airport and three people were killed near Ahvaz.
Iran’s armed forces responded with missile and drone attacks aimed at US military facilities across the Gulf.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, Juffair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain, along with military infrastructure in Qatar. Iranian military statements said the attacks included a Patriot missile battery in Kuwait, an early warning installation in Qatar and fuel storage facilities used by US forces in Bahrain.
Authorities in Bahrain activated nationwide air raid sirens and instructed residents to seek shelter. Kuwait’s military said its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones, while Qatar sent emergency alerts to mobile phones warning residents of an elevated security threat before later lifting the advisory. Gulf governments condemned the attacks and denied they were participating in the conflict.
The renewed fighting followed attacks on commercial shipping in the Straight of Hormuz, and growing disagreement over the memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran last month.
The United States claims its operations are intended to protect international navigation after accusing Iran of attacking commercial vessels in the waterway.
Tehran rejects that justification. The June memorandum of understanding required the United States to begin removing its naval blockade and “any disturbances or impediments” against Iran immediately, with the blockade to end completely within 30 days. Iranian officials say the agreement also recognised Tehran’s role in managing shipping through the Strait, and that commercial vessels should use the northern “safe” route designated by Iran.
The United States and Israel are breaching another provision of the memorandum, which called for the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, and required all parties to refrain from initiating military operations or threatening the use of force. Iranian officials say that continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and the latest US attacks on Iran constitute further violations of the agreement.
According to ship-tracking data reported by Bloomberg, vessel movements through the Strait have fallen well below normal levels, with many ships avoiding the waterway altogether while others follow routes approved by Iran. Around one fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade normally passes through the Strait.
Despite the renewed fighting, oil markets showed a limited reaction. Brent crude traded below the peaks reached earlier in the conflict, although investors continued to monitor developments closely as uncertainty remained over future shipping through the Gulf.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, US President Donald Trump said the United States had struck Iran “very hard” and warned that every future Iranian attack would bring a stronger American response.
Trump also claimed Iran wanted to return to negotiations.
“They want to make a deal so badly,” he told reporters, before adding, “I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal.”
Iranian officials disputed Washington’s account of events.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused the United States of violating both international law and the ceasefire agreement. Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the strikes as a “flagrant breach” of the memorandum of understanding and condemned attacks on transport infrastructure, including railway bridges.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Yahya Aref, a member of Iran’s permanent mission to the UN, accused the United States and Israel of committing war crimes during their military campaign against Iran. He said international institutions had failed to hold those responsible accountable and criticised what he described as selective application of international law.
His remarks also referred to comments by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte concerning logistical support provided by NATO member states during earlier operations against Iran.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf warned that Tehran would continue responding to American attacks.
“America still hasn’t learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free,” he wrote on X.
“If you strike, you’ll get hit.”
The escalation also disrupted transport inside Iran.
State media reported that train services between Tehran and Mashhad were suspended after railway infrastructure was damaged in US strikes. Iranian authorities arranged buses for stranded passengers while repair teams were deployed.
The disruption came hours before the burial of Khamenei in Mashhad, his birthplace and Iran’s holiest city.
His funeral procession had travelled through Tehran, Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran, attracting large crowds over six days. Iranian state media delayed Thursday’s burial ceremony because of the number of mourners attending events in Iraq.
HT