The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under severe strain on Thursday after both sides exchanged fresh strikes, triggering renewed fears of a wider regional conflict involving Gulf states and Lebanon.
The latest escalation marks the most serious flare-up since the truce brokered in April following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year.
According to US officials, American forces carried out what they described as “defensive” strikes after detecting what they claimed were hostile Iranian drone activities near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. US military officials said four Iranian drones were intercepted while another launch site near Bandar Abbas in Iran was targeted.
“These actions were measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire,” a US official was quoted as saying.
Also read: US downs Iranian drones, hits military site
Iran, however, accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and said it retaliated by targeting a US military base linked to the strikes. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed the response was aimed at the “origin of the aggression” and warned that any future attacks would invite a “more decisive” response.
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei accused the US and Israel of attempting to destabilise Iran following what he described as military setbacks.
The confrontation also spilled into Kuwait, which condemned missile and drone attacks allegedly launched by Iran as a “blatant violation” of its sovereignty. Kuwaiti air defence systems reportedly intercepted hostile projectiles, while US Central Command confirmed that a missile heading towards Kuwait had been neutralised.
Meanwhile, tensions intensified on the Lebanese front as Israel launched fresh strikes on southern Lebanon and areas near Beirut, targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanese authorities reported casualties in Tyre city following the attacks.
US President Donald Trump, while speaking during a cabinet meeting, insisted that any future agreement with Iran “has got to be perfect” and warned regional players against further escalation.
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