Iran fired missiles toward Bahrain and Kuwait as the United States carried out fresh military strikes against Iranian targets and enforced its maritime blockade in the Gulf yesterday, in one of the most serious escalations since a fragile ceasefire took hold.
The latest flare-up highlighted the continuing volatility of the conflict despite repeated assertions from both Washington and Tehran that diplomatic contacts remain open.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran launched several ballistic missiles and drones toward regional targets on Tuesday, including attacks aimed at Bahrain and Kuwait.
"Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart en route, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were immediately intercepted by US and Bahrain air defence forces," CENTCOM said in a statement.
The US military added that it had also shot down three Iranian one-way attack drones that were headed toward civilian shipping in regional waters.
"US forces successfully defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and conducted self-defence strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East," CENTCOM said.
The exchange followed a US strike on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the attack targeted a communications facility south of the island and prompted retaliatory missile and drone strikes.
Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted what it described as an American air and helicopter base in the region, as well as the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. The United States, however, said all attacks failed to reach their intended targets.
"All Iranian attacks on American forces failed," CENTCOM said, adding that no U.S. personnel were injured and that American forces remained ready to counter "unwarranted Iranian aggression."
The military confrontation came hours after the US intensified enforcement of its blockade on Iranian ports. CENTCOM said a US aircraft disabled the Botswana-flagged tanker M/T Lexie with a Hellfire missile after the vessel allegedly ignored repeated orders to alter course while heading toward Iran's Kharg Island.
"A US aircraft ultimately disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship's engine room, preventing the tanker from reaching Iran," CENTCOM said.
The command said six commercial vessels had been disabled and 122 redirected since blockade measures were imposed in April.
Iran responded by claiming it had targeted a Liberian-flagged vessel and warned that attempts to disrupt maritime traffic linked to Iran would carry consequences. Iranian media also reported that the IRGC attacked a ship identified as Panaya in retaliation for what Tehran described as U.S. action against an Iranian tanker near the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices up
The renewed hostilities pushed oil prices more than 1% higher in early trading on Wednesday, reflecting market concerns over security in the Gulf and the continued disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The military exchanges unfolded against a backdrop of mixed signals over diplomacy. Iranian media reported that communications between Tehran and Washington had stalled in recent days, while US President Donald Trump insisted talks remained active.
"The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today," Trump said on social media.
