The United States carried out a fresh wave of strikes against Iranian military targets on Tuesday, while Iran retaliated with missile attacks targeting US-linked positions and activating air defences across several Gulf states.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes, which began at noon ET, targeted facilities and assets associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including air-defence and radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications sites.
CENTCOM said the operation was conducted in response to what it described as recent attempted Iranian attacks against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and US troops deployed in the region.
The latest strikes came after the United States and Iran exchanged attacks overnight into Monday, ending several weeks of relative calm and raising concerns that the conflict could once again broaden across the region.
Iran vowed a strong response. Its Armed Forces Central Headquarters said it would deliver “crushing and devastating blows” against the United States, according to Iranian state media.
Iran said it launched missiles toward US military targets in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Jordanian authorities said they intercepted 10 missiles launched from Iran, while three others fell in remote areas. No casualties were reported.
Bahrain and Kuwait also activated their air-defence systems following reported Iranian attacks. Bahrain's National Communication Centre said Bahrain Defence Force's air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed Iranian drones targeting the Kingdom.
President Donald Trump warned Iran against further retaliation, saying Tehran would face a significantly stronger US response if it attacked American forces or interests.
Trump also indicated that the United States had not yet used what he described as its most powerful potential military option, while maintaining that Washington currently has a strong position in the region.
The latest escalation is centred increasingly on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a major share of the world's oil trade passes. The US has accused Iran of attempting to deploy sea mines in the strategic waterway, while Tehran has sought to use its ability to disrupt shipping as leverage amid the confrontation.
Commercial shipping through the strait remained subdued. Preliminary data from ship-tracking firm Kpler showed only four commodity vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday, down from 10 a day earlier and below the 10-day average of about 13.
The Trump administration has sought to play down Iran's ability to maintain a long-term chokehold over the waterway, arguing that alternative pipelines and shipping routes could eventually reduce its importance.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington's broader strategy also involved intensifying economic pressure on Iran, arguing that restrictions on the Iranian economy would eventually push Tehran towards an agreement.
The renewed military confrontation, however, comes despite indications from US officials that Washington was seeking to shift greater emphasis towards economic pressure and negotiations.
