The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes for a second consecutive night, deepening fears of a wider regional conflict after President Donald Trump declared last month’s ceasefire agreement effectively dead.
The renewed fighting has also disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, with maritime officials reporting a sharp decline in commercial vessels passing through the strategic waterway.
The latest escalation follows Trump’s announcement that he no longer considers the June ceasefire agreement to be in effect. Speaking on Wednesday, the US president dismissed the prospects of further negotiations, saying he had little confidence that Tehran would honour any future deal.
According to US Central Command (Centcom), American forces struck around 90 military targets across Iran during the latest operation. The targets reportedly included air defence systems and military logistics facilities positioned along Iran’s southern coastline, with the US saying the strikes were intended to reduce Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as a serious violation of international law. The country’s foreign ministry accused Washington of targeting civilian infrastructure, including railway bridges and transport links connecting Tehran to Mashhad, where funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are expected to conclude on Thursday.
Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 14 people have been killed and 78 injured in attacks carried out across five provinces over the past two days. Nearly 50 of the wounded remain in hospital, according to ministry officials.
Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed responsibility for the strikes, describing them as the first stage of its retaliation against what it called American violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that further military action would trigger additional retaliation. He also insisted that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would remain subject to Iran’s conditions rather than external pressure.
Several Gulf countries reported explosions overnight. Bahrain experienced blasts near its capital, Manama, while Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones. Qatar also issued security warnings following the attacks.
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Meanwhile, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply as security concerns grow.
Phil Belcher, marine director at tanker owners’ association Intertanko, said vessel movements have dropped dramatically since fighting resumed. He told the BBC that only a handful of ships are now using the southern shipping lane protected by US naval forces, compared with around 70 vessels daily a week ago and roughly 130 before tensions escalated earlier this year.
He said uncertainty surrounding the conflict is placing enormous pressure on both international shipping companies and seafarers operating in the region.
Fresh explosions were also reported overnight in several Iranian coastal cities, including Bandar Abbas, Konarak and Chabahar. Iranian state media said air defence systems were activated while missiles reportedly struck facilities in Sirik, Jask and the disputed island of Abu Musa.
Although the full extent of the damage remains unclear, local media reported power outages in Chabahar and a fire at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps barracks in Bushehr. Officials later said electricity had been restored to most affected areas.
The latest military exchanges mark the most serious breakdown in relations since Washington and Tehran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding on 17 June. The agreement called for a temporary ceasefire, continued negotiations, protection of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and limited sanctions relief.
While the 60-day negotiation period outlined in the agreement has not yet expired, Trump has dismissed the prospect of continuing talks, saying further diplomacy would be “a waste of time.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by saying his country would answer military action with action rather than rhetoric, signalling that neither side appears ready to step back from the escalating confrontation.
With attacks continuing on both sides and global shipping increasingly disrupted, concerns are mounting that the crisis could further destabilise the Gulf region and place additional pressure on international energy markets.
