U.S. conducts second day of airstrikes on Iran as Tehran retaliates against Gulf states
The United States launched a second round of strikes on Iranian targets Thursday, prompting Iran to fire missiles at Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, while diplomatic talks remain stalled.
The United States carried out a second wave of airstrikes on Iranian facilities early Thursday, saying the attacks were a response to "Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression" and aimed at surveillance, communications and air-defense sites. The strikes, conducted by the Air Force, Marines and Navy, hit locations in Tehran, Bandar Abbas and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz, though U.S. officials did not disclose damage assessments.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later reported that the U.S. hits included a manufacturing complex, a military barracks and a Guard base outside the capital. In retaliation, Iranian forces launched missiles toward Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace, while Jordan said it intercepted 20 missiles aimed at an area housing a U.S. troop air base, with no casualties reported. Bahrain’s interior ministry said an 11-year-old girl was injured and property damaged by debris from defensive interceptions.
The exchange marks the third round of hostilities since the conflict began two months ago, following earlier strikes between Iran and Israel and the initial U.S. attacks. An Indian official confirmed that a U.S. strike on the tanker Settebello resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers, highlighting ongoing risks to commercial shipping in the region.
President Donald Trump urged Iran to sign a deal to end the war and suggested a settlement could be reached within days, while Iran maintained its strategic leverage by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil supplies. The United States also claimed to be conducting covert operations to move oil shipments through the strait at night, a figure of more than 100 million barrels was cited without independent verification.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with a Qatari delegation coordinating with U.S. officials in talks aimed at mediating a cease-fire, though both sides retain core demands that complicate a rapid resolution.