U.S. and Iran Trade Strikes in Most Serious Clash Since Ceasefire
The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes on Thursday, marking the most serious escalation since a ceasefire was established in April. The exchange also drew in Kuwait, a U.S. ally, which reported responding to incoming fire on the Lebanese front, where Israel has declared much of southern Lebanon a combat zone.
Iranian forces fired at four ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, according to state broadcaster IRIB. In response, U.S. forces struck a ground control station in the southern port area of Bandar Abbas, a U.S. official confirmed. Iran then targeted the American air base that served as the source of the attack, according to IRIB, citing the Revolutionary Guards.
The violent exchange underscores the fragility of ongoing negotiations aimed at formally ending the conflict, which began on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. Neither side has appeared eager to return to all-out war, but the latest strikes highlight the volatile situation.
Iran Supports Oman After Trump's Threats
Iran expressed solidarity with Oman after what it described as threats from U.S. officials. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned U.S. attacks on Bandar Abbas and voiced support for Oman. Hours before the strikes, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to threaten Oman, stating, "Nobody's going to control the strait. We'll watch over it. But nobody's going to control it. That's part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it. Nobody's going to control it. It's international waters and Oman will behave just like everybody else or we'll have to blow them up. They understand that, they'll be fine."
Escalation in Lebanon
In Lebanon, a separate ceasefire has failed to halt fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Israeli military launched new strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure around Tyre after issuing an evacuation warning to residents. On Wednesday, Israel declared all areas south of Lebanon's Zahrani River as combat zones and told residents to leave. The National News Agency in Lebanon reported a series of strikes on Nabatieh city. The Israeli military confirmed that a soldier was killed the day before by a Hezbollah drone near the Lebanon border. Iran has insisted that any agreement to end the war must apply to Lebanon as well.
Details of the U.S.-Iran Exchange
The U.S. and Iran traded strikes in their most serious clash since the April ceasefire began, rattling efforts to negotiate an end to the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces fired at four ships attempting to cross the strait, which Iran has blockaded since the war started in late February. The U.S. military struck a ground control station in Bandar Abbas, prompting Iran to target the American air base that served as the source of the attack. The Guards did not specify the base's location, but Kuwait, which hosts U.S. troops, said its air defenses were responding to an attack. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei condemned the U.S. strikes and said Iran would "take all necessary measures to defend its national sovereignty." The ministry called the strikes violations of the truce, though the U.S. official described them as "purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire."
