The United States has launched attacks on Iranian targets for the second consecutive night. Tehran’s response targeted three countries in the region.
In response to the American strikes, Iran announced attacks on U.S. military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait and threatened that any ship crossing the Strait of Hormuz would become a „legitimate target.”
However, President Donald Trump claims that the U.S. Navy managed to pass "covertly," without lights, dozens of ships through the Strait of Hormuz after destroying Iranian radar systems.
The escalation of the conflict was further fueled by the Americans' attack on an Indian crewed oil tanker off the coast of Oman, an incident that prompted India's reaction.
American Attacks
The United States launched attacks on Iranian targets for the second consecutive night. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it carried out a new series of strikes, described as "self-defense actions," and a few hours later reported that the operation had ended.
Tehran quickly responded with attacks on American military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait and once again threatened maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Shortly after the new American strikes, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched two waves of attacks on 18 U.S. military targets in the Gulf region. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, the Ali Al-Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber bases in Kuwait, as well as the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, were targeted.
The Iranian state media also claimed that the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain was targeted. The Fars and Mehr agencies stated that communication antennas and Patriot radar systems were targeted.
Sirens were activated in Bahrain, and the Ministry of Interior urged residents to head to shelters and remain calm. As of now, there are no independent confirmations regarding any damages caused by Iran's attacks.
Tehran Strikes Three Countries
Iran's response targeted three countries in the Middle East - Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
An 11-year-old girl was lightly injured, vehicles caught fire, and homes were damaged in Hamad Town and Manama, the capital of Bahrain, following the fall of intercepted and destroyed drone fragments, announced the Bahrain Ministry of Interior, as reported by AFP.
The Ministry released images of firefighters battling fires in multiple homes.
The official Iranian press had previously announced an attack on the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced on Thursday that they had fired ballistic missiles at an American Command Center in Jordan in retaliation for U.S. attacks in Iran.
This "punitive operation against the aggressor" targeted the "Al-Azraq airbase and its control center with 12 ballistic missiles," the Revolutionary Guards conveyed, as reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim. They assured that they destroyed these facilities "and a large number of combat aircraft."
The Revolutionary Guards also announced hitting U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for the recent American airstrikes in Iran.
"In two waves of operations, 18 important targets belonging to the U.S. military were hit" at the Ali Al-Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber bases in Kuwait and the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, the Revolutionary Guards announced, cited by the official Iranian news agency Irna.
Iran Threatens Any Ship Crossing Ormuz
A major point of tension is the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely closed" and warned that any ship attempting to transit the area would be considered a legitimate target. According to the Iranian press, the naval forces of the Revolutionary Guards have already struck two ships that tried to cross, without providing details on their identity or any potential casualties.
However, Washington has rejected these claims. CENTCOM stated that commercial vessels continue to navigate through the strait, and no U.S. military vessel has been hit.
Donald Trump stated that the U.S. managed to secretly transport millions of barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, despite the tensions in the region. The American president claimed that dozens of ships crossed the area in recent weeks with the support of the U.S. military.
Indian Tanker Hit by U.S. Military
In parallel with the operations in Iran, the U.S. military announced the attack on the Settebello tanker off the coast of Oman. Washington claims the vessel was attempting to transport Iranian oil, violating the blockade imposed by the U.S., and that the crew refused to comply with American forces' orders.
According to Indian authorities, 21 of the 24 crew members were rescued, but three Indian sailors are missing. The incident sparked India's official protest, summoning the U.S. chargé d'affaires in New Delhi.
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts
After several hours of attacks, CENTCOM announced that the new series of strikes against Iran had ended, without providing details on the operation's results.
Simultaneously, 22 countries, including the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Canada, and Australia, issued a joint statement demanding Iran to cease attacks and operations on their territories against Iranian dissidents, journalists, and Jewish and Israeli communities.