US conducts second day of airstrikes on Iran as Gulf states activate defenses

The United States carried out airstrikes on Iranian sites at Sirik, Bandar-e Lengeh and Qeshm Island for the second day in a row, following a drone attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. Bahrain sounded public warning sirens and urged residents to seek shelter, while Kuwait reported that its air-defence systems were responding to "hostile missile and drone threats".

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched ballistic missiles and drones at the U.S. Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain in retaliation for the strikes on five coastal locations in Iran. A U.S. official told Reuters that there were no reported U.S. casualties or major damage from the attacks.

Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates condemned the Iranian drone attack on Bahrain, expressing solidarity with the kingdom and rejecting actions that threaten regional security.

In Washington, a White House spokesperson reiterated a tougher stance toward Tehran, noting President Donald Trump’s warning that the United States could be forced to "complete the job" if Iran continues its attacks. Retired U.S. naval officer Harlan Ullman cautioned that the tit-for-tat exchanges risk escalating out of control, and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said the renewed U.S. strikes violate the War Powers Resolution, urging the president to halt the operations.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described a U.S.–mediated framework agreement with Lebanon as a historic accomplishment and a blow to Iran and Hezbollah. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticised the deal, calling it a mistake that would give Hezbollah a lifeline.

Lebanon’s president said President Donald Trump congratulated Lebanon’s leader after the signing ceremony of the agreement and pledged U.S. support for Lebanon’s economy and armed forces. Hezbollah rejected the deal, calling it null and void.