The fragile ceasefire between United States and Iran effectively collapsed after both countries launched fresh military strikes on Thursday, expanding the conflict across the Gulf and raising fears of a wider regional war.The latest escalation began after the US carried out a fresh round of strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, saying the operation was retaliation for attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and aimed at ensuring “freedom of navigation”. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US military assets and allied facilities in the Middle East, while reiterating that any further American intervention would invite a “crushing response”.The exchange came as Iran buried Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad following his death in a US strike earlier this year. US President Donald Trump also declared that the interim ceasefire with Tehran was effectively “over”, although diplomatic negotiations continue. The latest attacks marked the biggest breach of the truce since it came into force in April.
What the US targeted
Around 90 military sites across IranUS Central Command (CENTCOM) said it struck approximately 90 military targets, including air defence systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile launchers, drone storage sites and logistics infrastructure. The US said the strikes were intended to “further degrade” Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following attacks on oil tankers.Bushehr provinceIranian officials said US strikes hit military installations, a fishing dock and the perimeter of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the country’s only operational nuclear power station built with Russian assistance. Officials said the reactor itself was not hit, though they accused Washington of once again targeting the surrounding area after previous strikes during the conflict.Bandar AbbasExplosions were reported in Bandar Abbas, Iran’s principal southern port city overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media also reported strikes on nearby military facilities, though the extent of damage was not immediately clear.Rail and transport infrastructureIranian media reported that a US strike damaged a railway bridge used for trade with Russia and China, while additional bridges on the route leading to Mashhad were also targeted. The attacks came as funeral processions for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were underway in the city.Military facilities in southern IranAccording to Iranian officials, US strikes also hit military sites elsewhere in Bushehr province and other southern coastal areas. Iranian authorities said the attacks over two days had killed at least 14 people and injured 78 others, most of them members of the armed forces.
What Iran targeted
Kuwait: Patriot missile systemsIran said it launched drones and missiles at US Patriot air defence systems stationed in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti military said it intercepted three ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and 10 drones before they reached their targets, according to AP. One person was injured after being struck by falling debris from intercepted projectiles.Qatar: US early warning facilityIran’s military said it targeted a US early warning site, including satellite antenna infrastructure, in Qatar, home to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American military installation in the Middle East. While there was no immediate confirmation of damage, Qatar condemned attacks on commercial shipping and renewed calls for diplomacy to prevent a broader conflict.Bahrain: US fuel storage facilityIran claimed it struck a US military fuel storage facility in Bahrain, which hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Air raid sirens sounded across the country multiple times before Bahraini authorities said their air defence systems had intercepted incoming missiles. Officials did not disclose whether any military facilities were damaged.Jordan: US-linked military facilitiesIran’s Revolutionary Guards said they fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jordan’s Azraq military base, which is used by US forces, as well as what they described as a US military command centre in the region. Jordan said its air defence systems intercepted eight incoming missiles and reported no casualties or damage.Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warning that they would continue overseeing shipping, claiming vessel traffic had recovered to around 50% of pre-war levels. The Guards warned that any further US intervention would draw a “crushing response” and insisted the waterway would reopen only “under Iranian arrangements, not through US threats,” Reuters reported.