DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — America conducted another round of military strikes against Iran on Thursday morning following U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that Tehran would face consequences for stagnant peace talks, while Iran launched retaliatory attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
Thursday’s American military operation targeted several Iranian cities as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict appeared deadlocked once again, with Iran maintaining its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that has caused global energy supply disruptions and elevated oil costs. The latest U.S. offensive seemed more extensive and forceful than Wednesday’s action, though Iran provided no details about targets that were struck.
Kuwait shut down its airspace due to Thursday morning’s attack, offering no details about potential damage. Jordan made no public statement regarding the strike, although the U.S. Embassy in Amman issued warnings about it. Bahrain activated its missile warning sirens without reporting any casualties or damage.
This week’s third exchange of strikes has put strain on a fragile two-month ceasefire. Sunday and Monday saw the initial attacks between Iran and Israel, followed by two rounds of military action between America and Tehran.
Trump has pushed Iran to agree to a peace deal and indicated earlier this week that a settlement might be achieved within days.
However, Iran has shown endurance despite weeks of intensive bombardment. The nation is counting on its capacity to effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz — a vital corridor for oil and natural gas transport — as a powerful negotiating advantage.
Nevertheless, both nations appear to be seeking an exit from the conflict — provided they can present it as a victory to their domestic audiences.
At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems determined to pursue objectives that complicate any potential settlement: toppling Iran’s theocratic leadership, dismantling its nuclear capabilities, and defeating the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant organization in Lebanon.
The U.S. Central Command reported its most recent airstrikes concluded shortly before Thursday’s sunrise in Iran. The military authority stated the attacks occurred “in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression” and focused on “Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defense sites.” Officials provided no specifics about strike damage, noting the operations involved the U.S. Air Force, Marines and Navy.
Strike explosions reverberated throughout Iran’s capital, Tehran, along with the port city of Bandar Abbas and additional southern regions near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran retaliated by conducting strikes against Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan for the second consecutive day.
Israel also issued early Thursday shelter warnings to northern residents following detection of potential incoming fire from Lebanon.
The conflict, which began with Feb. 28 attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, has destabilized the global economy, increased energy costs and made food and other essentials more costly.
International crude oil benchmarks traded above $93 per barrel on Wednesday, representing a more than 25% increase since the war’s beginning.
Trump revealed the U.S. military has conducted a “secret mission” since last month to smuggle oil shipments past Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. He explained that vessels were navigating through during nighttime hours, assisted by the destruction of Iranian radar infrastructure.
Trump claimed these efforts have resulted in more than 100 million barrels of oil bypassing Iran’s strait blockade. No immediate verification of this number was available, though it roughly represents five days worth of oil shipments through the waterway before hostilities began.
The military’s specific involvement remained unclear. The U.S. Central Command on Wednesday challenged Iran’s assertions that the Strait of Hormuz is sealed, maintaining that commercial vessels continue normal transit operations.
Concerned about elevated gas prices ahead of November’s midterm elections, Trump appears to want a swift resolution. However, he is also making demands that will be difficult for Iran to accept.
The U.S. seeks Iran’s surrender of its highly enriched uranium stockpile. Although Iran maintains its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, this uranium requires only brief technical processing to reach weapons-grade concentrations.
Iran refuses to relinquish the uranium and demands sanctions relief. The nation also wants frozen assets released before any final agreement is completed, which Trump has rejected.
Iran has maintained that any war-ending agreement must also halt combat between its ally Hezbollah and Israel.
