US and Iran trade airstrikes, prompting regional alerts and diplomatic tensions

The United States launched a series of airstrikes against targets in Iran on Thursday, prompting Tehran to fire missiles and drones toward several Gulf countries that host U.S. forces. Sirens sounded in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan as local defenses intercepted incoming projectiles. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed to have hit a U.S. base in Jordan, while Bahrain and Kuwait reported shooting down multiple missiles, a cruise missile and drones.

U.S. Central Command said its operations struck about 90 sites, including an airport runway, missile launchers, a railway bridge in Golestan province and bridges on the route to Mashhad. The strikes were described as intended to reduce Iran’s capacity to threaten navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil and gas shipments.

Iran’s Health Ministry reported that the U.S. attacks killed at least 14 people and injured 78, most of whom were military personnel. Iranian state media said explosions occurred near the Bushehr nuclear plant and in southern port cities, though no damage to the plant was confirmed.

President Donald Trump said the recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz ended a fragile cease-fire and warned that further attacks on shipping would lead to a stronger response. He also reiterated previous statements about targeting Iranian civilian infrastructure and seizing the Kharg oil export terminal.

The exchange of fire follows Iran’s attacks on three tankers in the Strait earlier in the week and comes amid ongoing negotiations for a permanent peace settlement. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X that the United States would face retaliation if it struck again, while U.S. officials indicated that the interim cease-fire agreement had ended.