US and Iran exchange strikes, Jordan intercepts missiles, Qatar calls for calm
The United States hit more than 170 targets in Iran while Tehran launched missiles and drones at Gulf states, prompting Jordan to report missile interceptions and Qatar to condemn attacks on shipping.
The United States military said it had struck over 170 targets in Iran during the past 48 hours, a sharp increase in the pace of attacks aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at U.S. facilities in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, and claimed to have hit a railway line linking Tehran to Mashhad.
Jordan, which hosts U.S. forces, reported intercepting Iranian missiles in its airspace on Thursday. Kuwait said it intercepted three ballistic missiles, a cruise missile and ten drones, while Bahrain reported destroying several drones and missiles launched by Iran.
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, condemned the attacks on ships in the strait and said they undermine confidence and regional security. He spoke by phone with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, and earlier had urged Iran to refrain from targeting commercial shipping.
Oil markets reacted to the renewed fighting, with Brent crude trading around $78 a barrel, above pre-conflict levels. The United States has reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil sales and warned that further Iranian attacks would be met with stronger responses.
President Trump, speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, said the cease-fire was “over” and that Iran had called him “so badly” to make a deal, though no new negotiations have been confirmed. Iranian officials warned that any additional U.S. strikes would be met with further attacks on American bases in the region.
The escalation comes as Iran conducts funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose burial in Mashhad was delayed due to large crowds in Iraqi cities. Analysts said the timing of the strikes may be intended to demonstrate resilience amid the mourning period.
Regional leaders continued diplomatic outreach: the ruler of the United Arab Emirates visited Kuwait to discuss security cooperation, and Qatar’s prime minister held calls with Saudi, Omani, Emirati and Turkish officials.
U.S. Central Command described the strikes as retaliation for “recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews,” emphasizing the goal of degrading Iran’s anti-ship capabilities.