The situation between the United States and Iran intensified further with new military exchanges early Thursday. This brought both nations closer to potential warfare. President Trump emphasized maintaining military pressure on Iranian leaders, accusing them of being slow in negotiations.
U.S. and Iranian Military Actions
The latest U.S. strikes began shortly after midnight in Tehran, affecting areas including Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, Minab, and Sirik. The U.S. Central Command confirmed the completion of these strikes just after 4:30 a.m. in Iran.
Iran responded with two waves of attacks targeting U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, a claim that remains unverified. Furthermore, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all ships, a statement the U.S. refuted.
Kuwait intercepted hostile targets, temporarily closing its airspace due to perceived risks. Bahrain activated warning sirens due to falling debris from intercepted Iranian drones.
High-Level Statements and Actions
Mr. Trump, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, noted that the strikes were intended to impose pressure on Tehran for negotiations, not as a direct retaliation for any single incident. This stance challenges Trump’s frequent reassurances that peace negotiations with Iran were progressing.
António Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, commented on the situation, citing it as an indication of increasing hostilities despite claims of a cease-fire.
Collateral Damage and Response
An analysis by The New York Times highlighted U.S. strikes affecting water facilities in Hormozgan Province, cutting water supply to 20,000 residents amid high temperatures. It’s unclear if these were intentional targets.
Images shared by Iranian media showed damage to water infrastructure, possibly caused by a GBU-39 bomb. The impact and strategic location suggest precision strikes.
The U.S. military continued targeting Iranian military infrastructure, striking surveillance, communication systems, and air defense sites.
Public and Military Reactions
The Revolutionary Guards in Iran launched counterattacks on several U.S. airbases as a response to American military actions. However, these claims lack independent confirmation.
President Trump detailed a so-called secret mission to move oil past Iran, likening it to a dramatic operation. This was, in reality, an ongoing U.S. effort to guide commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as previously reported.
While U.S. officials have not specified the types of vessels involved, they confirmed that over 200 ships traversed the strait under U.S. guidance, avoiding direct conflict with Iran.
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