The United States military said it carried out strikes on more than 80 targets inside Iran on Tuesday following attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday that it targeted U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The latest exchange of military action has sharply escalated tensions between Washington and Tehran, dealing a setback to ongoing efforts aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East.
According to the IRGC, Wednesday’s operation was launched in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on Iranian territory following attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters reported that the IRGC said it conducted coordinated missile and drone strikes against key U.S. military facilities, including Bandar Salman in Bahrain, the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Naval District, and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
The IRGC also claimed that it had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone that allegedly attempted to interfere with the operation.
Authorities said air raid sirens sounded across Bahrain and Kuwait, while the Kuwaiti military stated that its air defense systems were engaging what it described as “enemy” missiles and drones.
Earlier, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement posted on X that U.S. forces had struck Iranian air defense systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 small vessels operated by the IRGC in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM described the operation as a “powerful” response to Iranian attacks on vessels transiting the strategic waterway, saying the objective was to impose a significant cost for targeting international commercial shipping.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported multiple explosions around the Strait of Hormuz, including six on Qeshm Island, seven in the city of Sirik, and additional blasts in the key port city of Bandar Abbas.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of repeatedly violating a previously agreed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries and warned of retaliatory action.
In a statement carried by state media, the ministry said Iran was issuing a “serious warning” over what it called U.S. violations of the agreement and would take decisive measures to safeguard its national interests and security.
The military escalation came shortly after Washington revoked a temporary sanctions waiver related to Iranian oil exports, increasing pressure on Tehran as indirect negotiations with the United States over a broader settlement continue.
The U.S. Treasury Department cancelled a license issued in June that had allowed Iran to produce, sell and transport crude oil and related products until August 21.
A U.S. official told AFP that Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz were “completely unacceptable” and would carry consequences.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran was “entirely performance-based,” adding that Iran would benefit from the arrangement only if it demonstrated “good behavior.”
The official, however, said U.S. negotiators remained committed to pursuing a final agreement “in good faith.”
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that an oil tanker was struck overnight by an “unidentified missile,” causing a fire onboard. Two additional vessels were later attacked, with at least one reportedly hit by a drone.
All three vessels were targeted near Oman, where Muscat had proposed a temporary maritime corridor along its coastline. Iran has opposed the proposal, insisting it intends to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the narrow waterway.
Qatar said one of the affected ships was its liquefied natural gas carrier Al Ruqaiyat, blaming Iran for the attack and describing the incident as “unacceptable” interference with international maritime navigation.
Doha later summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador to lodge a formal protest, demand an explanation, and urge Tehran to immediately cease actions that undermine regional security.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari wrote on X that Qatar held Iran “fully legally responsible” for the attack and for any resulting damage or consequences.
According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Tehran expressed regret over Qatar’s accusations and dismissed them as “unacceptable.”
Strait of Hormuz Dispute
The latest attacks ended more than a week of relative calm and renewed concerns over freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had previously lifted its blockade of the strategic waterway following a fragile ceasefire with the United States.
The renewed tensions pushed global oil prices up by more than two percent as fears over disruptions to energy supplies resurfaced and doubts grew over the durability of the U.S.-Iran agreement.
Maritime traffic had begun gradually returning to normal after Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last month. However, Iran has insisted there will be no return to pre-conflict arrangements under which vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions.
Under the 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, Iran and Oman—both littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz—are expected to negotiate with other Gulf countries over the future governance of the waterway and the provision of maritime services.
Qatar had earlier declined to mediate during Iranian bombardments carried out in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
However, Doha has since assumed a more active diplomatic role, hosting indirect talks between the United States and Iran last week in an effort to advance a negotiated settlement.
