Missile barrage across Gulf puts region on edge; hopes of an Iran-US deal fade as both sides trade fire: 10 things to know

NEW DELHI: The United States and Iran moved closer to a broader regional conflict on Thursday after both sides carried out fresh military strikes across West Asia. Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, while American forces responded with a new wave of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, escalating tensions despite a fragile ceasefire agreed in April.The latest exchange followed a rapidly escalating confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis intensified after Iran allegedly downed a US Army Apache helicopter near the strategic waterway earlier this week. The two crew members were rescued by a US Navy autonomous drone vessel, but the incident triggered retaliatory American strikes on Iranian radar installations, surveillance systems and military sites around Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Jask.US Central Command (CENTCOM) described the operation as a "proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression", saying the strikes were aimed at degrading Tehran's military capabilities near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, however, vowed retaliation and subsequently targeted US military installations across the Gulf region, further straining already stalled diplomatic efforts.With President Donald Trump warning that Iran would "pay the price" for delaying a peace agreement and senior US officials threatening additional military action, fears are growing that the conflict could spiral into a wider regional war. The escalating hostilities have also rattled global energy markets, raised concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, and cast fresh doubt over prospects for a negotiated settlement between Washington and Tehran.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for coordinated missile and drone attacks against American military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.According to an IRGC statement carried by Iranian state media, Tehran targeted the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and military facilities at Azraq in Jordan.The IRGC claimed it attacked 21 American targets and destroyed four of them, including an F-35 fighter jet hangar at the Jordanian base. Iranian military officials described the operation as retaliation for recent US strikes on Iranian ports and military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz.Iran's military also said it launched two waves of operations against US facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait."During two waves of operations, eighteen important targets belonging to the US Army in the bases of Ali and Ahmad Ahmad Air Force (were hit)," the Guards said in a statement quoted by state-run IRNA, adding that they also "hit and destroyed Sheikh Isa air bases".Iranian media additionally reported attacks on the US Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain.Authorities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan said their air defence systems successfully intercepted incoming Iranian missiles and drones.Officials from all three countries reported no casualties and no major damage.A US official also downplayed the effectiveness of Iran's attacks."No significant damage. No harm to US personnel. Nearly all missiles and drones were intercepted or failed to reach their intended target," the official told Reuters.Jordan's military said it intercepted five missiles aimed at the Azraq military base. Falling debris reportedly caused no injuries or infrastructure damage.Kuwait's defence ministry said it intercepted several hostile aerial targets, while Bahrain reported successfully repelling Iranian attacks targeting the kingdom.Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates strongly condemned Iran's missile and drone strikes, describing them as a dangerous escalation and a violation of international law. Bahrain accused Tehran of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, saying Iran "continues its systematic hostile approach through its heinous attacks using missiles and drones targeting civilians". The Bahraini military said all branches of the armed forces remained on maximum alert and were fully prepared to defend the kingdom. Authorities also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects resulting from intercepted missiles and drones.Regional governments rallied behind Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan following the attacks. Qatar described the strikes as a "flagrant violation" of the three countries' sovereignty and "a clear breach of international law", while stressing "the need to spare the region the consequences of such unjustified attacks and to work toward de-escalation in order to restore security and stability at both the regional and international levels". The UAE similarly condemned what it called "terrorist and unprovoked ballistic missile and drone attacks", saying they "constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the three brotherly nations and a threat to their security and stability". Both Qatar and the UAE reaffirmed their full solidarity with Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.Hours after Iran's attacks, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced additional strikes on multiple locations across Iran.The military said the operation targeted surveillance systems, communication networks and air defence infrastructure."The strikes are in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression," CENTCOM said. According to American officials, nearly 20 Iranian targets were struck during a four-hour operation.US officials said precision-guided weapons launched from Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps assets were used in the attacks. Iranian media reported explosions in several cities including Sirik, Kargan, Bandar Abbas, Minab, Varamin and Karaj.President Donald Trump blamed Tehran for failing to reach a peace agreement and warned of additional military action."Iran is all talk and no action," Trump wrote on social media. "They've taken too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them, now they will have to pay the price!!!"Later, Trump told reporters that military operations would continue. "We're going to be attacking them, attacking them very hard, resuming bombing."According to Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump also warned that he would "bomb the shit out of them" if Iran's leadership did not immediately sign an agreement with Washington.The remarks contributed to further market uncertainty, with oil prices rising sharply and global equities weakening.US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the strikes as part of a strategy designed to pressure Iran into accepting a deal.Speaking after visiting CENTCOM headquarters in Florida, Hegseth said military action would improve America's bargaining position."We will strike them hard tonight, and hopefully Iran makes a good decision," he said. "If we need to negotiate with bombs, we'll negotiate with bombs," Hegseth added. Hegseth later said the latest military operations would "advance our military interests and also enhance our diplomatic position."The comments reflected the increasingly aggressive posture adopted by senior US officials as the conflict intensifies.One of the most serious developments came when Iranian military commanders declared the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced that the waterway was "closed to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships".Iran warned that any vessel attempting to transit the strait would be targeted.Heavy clashes between US naval forces and Iranian units were reported by Iranian media, although independent verification remained unavailable.The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, handling roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.American officials disputed Iranian claims regarding the closure of Hormuz. CENTCOM said commercial shipping continued moving through the waterway despite Tehran's threats.Trump claimed vessels had crossed the strait without Iranian permission as part of a covert operation. Hegseth went even further, declaring that Washington effectively controls the strategic passage."The United States of America controls the Strait of Hormuz. We're able to move oil in and out and other things with partners and have done so now for weeks and weeks in ways the Iranians don't want to acknowledge. That's a powerful reality on the ground."He also claimed more than 100 million barrels of oil had moved through the strait under US protection.Iran accused the United States of attacking civilian water facilities during the latest strikes.Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said two reservoirs supplying drinking water to more than 20,000 residents across ten villages in Hormozgan province were destroyed."This is not collateral damage -- it is a calculated war crime and a flagrant violation of human rights."Iran accused Washington of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and violating international humanitarian law.The Pentagon did not immediately respond to the allegations.Iranian military leaders indicated that further retaliation remains likely. An IRGC-affiliated source said Tehran would never "submit to threats or military folly".Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters claimed American forces halted attacks in southern Iran because of a "strong and decisive response" from Iranian armed forces. The command said military operations would continue if US attacks persisted.IRGC Aerospace Force commander Brigadier General Majid Mousavi warned Washington against threatening the Strait of Hormuz."We will bring the region into hell for you from across Iran if you make the sacred Strait of Hormuz unsafe."Despite the escalating military confrontation, diplomatic efforts remain underway.A delegation from Qatar arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss possible avenues for de-escalation.Qatar has been one of the principal mediators attempting to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran.However, prospects for a breakthrough appear increasingly remote. Iran says any agreement must include sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets, recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon.The United States insists that Iran must allow unrestricted shipping through Hormuz and abandon any pathway toward developing a nuclear weapon. Iran continues to deny seeking nuclear arms.The broader regional crisis also intensified in Lebanon. Lebanese security sources said Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people on Wednesday.Iran-backed Hezbollah claimed new attacks on Israeli forces. The continued fighting underscores concerns that the US-Iran confrontation could trigger instability across multiple fronts in West Asia.