US, Iran exchange fresh strikes as Hormuz conflict intensifies

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes on Thursday, escalating tensions in the Middle East as both sides battled over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil and gas shipping routes.

The renewed conflict entered its sixth day, despite a preliminary agreement reached in June that had sought to ease hostilities between the two countries.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces carried out coordinated strikes on multiple Iranian military targets, including facilities in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas, aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten international maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CENTCOM, earlier attacks also targeted coastal defence systems and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island in the Persian Gulf.

Explosions reported across Iran

Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, reported explosions in several parts of the country, including Lorestan in western Iran and Semnan in the north.

Air defence systems were also activated in parts of the capital, Tehran, as authorities responded to the attacks.

Iran retaliates against US allies

Shortly after the US strikes, several American allies in the Gulf reported attacks linked to Iran.

Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted Iranian drones, while neighbouring Bahrain activated air raid sirens amid heightened security concerns.

Iran’s military later announced that it had launched drone attacks on US military facilities in Jordan in retaliation for what it described as American aggression.

Strait of Hormuz at the centre of conflict

The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point of the renewed confrontation.

Iran imposed a blockade on the strategic waterway after hostilities resumed following US-Israeli strikes on February 28, using control of the passage as leverage against its adversaries.

Although the strait briefly reopened after last month’s US-Iran agreement, Tehran announced last week that it would remain closed until the United States ended what it described as its aggression.

Meanwhile, the US military said one of its aircraft disabled an unmanned oil tanker attempting to breach the naval blockade around Iranian ports.

Regional tensions rise

In Iraq, Kurdish security forces said the US-led coalition intercepted eight explosive-laden drones over Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, where explosions were heard near the US Consulate.

Iraqi Prime Minister later condemned the drone attack without identifying those responsible.

Despite the renewed fighting, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran have not officially collapsed.

Trump issues warning

US President Donald Trump warned that the conflict could escalate further unless Iran returned to negotiations.

“Next week it gets really bad for them,” Trump told Fox News, threatening additional strikes on Iran’s power plants and bridges.

Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, questioned the value of the previous agreement.

“If Iran is not to derive any benefit from the memorandum of understanding, we have no reason to adhere,” he said.

Oil shipments decline

Maritime tracking firm Kpler reported that only 21 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, reflecting the impact of the renewed conflict on global shipping.

Oil prices also rose following the latest escalation as concerns grew over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

The United States has also reinstated a blockade of Iranian ports.

Civilians express fears

Residents in both Iran and Gulf countries described growing anxiety as the conflict intensified.

Khadijeh, a 31-year-old artisan from Qasr-e Shirin, said children in her community had been unable to sleep because of repeated explosions.

“The little children are so frightened by the sound of explosions that they don’t sleep until morning.”

In Kuwait, Sudanese accountant Mustafa Mohamed said uncertainty had become part of daily life.

“Every day, I wake up wondering whether the situation will de-escalate or worsen.”

Casualties and humanitarian impact

President Trump also announced that an American citizen, Dena Karari, who had been detained in Iran since December 2024, had been released and left the country safely.

According to Iran’s government spokesperson, Fatemeh Mohajerani, at least 30 people have been killed since renewed US attacks began last week.

Iranian military authorities also confirmed that nine military personnel were killed in Wednesday’s strikes in the country’s southeast.

State media further reported that a hospital in Ahvaz, southwestern Iran, was evacuated following US airstrikes, with patients transferred to other medical facilities.