American and Iranian forces exchanged new strikes across the Gulf on Friday, marking the latest escalation in a conflict that has continued despite a ceasefire announced in April.
The confrontation began after US forces intercepted four Iranian "one-way attack drones" that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the drones posed an immediate threat to maritime traffic in the area. Following the interceptions, US forces carried out strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance radar installations in Goruk and on Qeshm Island in southern Iran, according to CENTCOM and multiple media reports. BBC News reported the strikes were conducted as a defensive response aimed at preventing further attacks.
Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles toward US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. Iran's state-run IRIB news agency said the targets included two US air bases in Kuwait and facilities associated with the US Navy in Bahrain. CENTCOM said seven missiles were launched, with six intercepted and one failing to reach its intended target. US officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties among American personnel. Reuters cited US military statements describing the attack and interception effort.
Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain as authorities urged residents to move to safe locations, while Kuwait's military said it was responding to incoming missiles and drones. The Associated Press reported that Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials claimed they had targeted the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. US officials rejected Iranian claims that significant damage had been inflicted on American facilities.
The latest exchange follows several days of rising tensions that have repeatedly tested the ceasefire established in April. On Wednesday, an attack on Kuwait International Airport killed one person and injured more than 60 others, according to local authorities. Iranian officials denied responsibility, arguing the damage resulted from a malfunctioning US interceptor missile. CENTCOM rejected that account, describing the airport strike as a deliberate Iranian attack, according to BBC News.
Fighting between Washington and Tehran intensified after the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran responded with attacks against Israel and Gulf states allied with Washington. The conflict quickly spread across the region and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors.
The narrow waterway carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Exports from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pass through the strait. Disruptions to shipping in the area have repeatedly pushed global energy prices higher since the conflict began. Reuters reported that maritime security remains a central concern as negotiations remain deadlocked.
Diplomatic efforts to secure a broader settlement have shown little progress. Iranian officials have accused Washington of changing the terms of proposed agreements, while the Trump administration has continued to press Tehran for concessions related to the conflict and regional security arrangements. Reuters reported this week that disagreements over sanctions relief, shipping access and security guarantees remain unresolved.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, the United States has granted visas to Iran's national soccer team ahead of its opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on June 15. The tournament is set to mark the first time a host nation has welcomed a team from a country with which it is actively engaged in military conflict.
