US strikes Iran for a second day near Strait of Hormuz as Bahrain sounds sirens and Kuwait activates air defences.
The United States has bombed Iran for a second straight day, striking Sirik, Bandar-e Lengeh and Qeshm Island after a drone attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, while Kuwait said its air defences were responding to “hostile missile and drone threats”, raising heightened tensions across the region.
Meanwhile, Israel carried out new attacks on southern Lebanon, killing at least one person, just a day after reaching a framework agreement with the Lebanese government aimed at ending the fighting.
Here is what has happened as the conflict enters its 121st day:
In Iran
- Iran sees Strait of Hormuz as key leverage: Tehran-based political analyst Abas Aslani said Iran views the waterway as a deterrent against future US attacks. “Iran sees [the strait] as leverage to stop the repetition of any new round of aggression against the country,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that any attempt to change the situation there “by force” is “unacceptable for Tehran”.
- IRGC says it hit US forces in the Gulf: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched ballistic missiles and drones at the US Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain in response to US strikes on five coastal locations in Iran.
The Gulf
- Bahrain sounds sirens, Kuwait activates air defences: Bahrain urged people to head to the nearest safe place after sirens sounded, while Kuwait said it was responding to “hostile missile and drone threats”. A US official told the Reuters news agency there have been no reported US casualties or major damage so far.
- Oman joins Gulf states in condemning attack on Bahrain: Oman has condemned the Iranian drone attack on Bahrain, expressing full solidarity with the kingdom and rejecting any actions that threaten regional security. Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE also condemned the attack.
In the US
- White House signals tougher stance: Reporting from Washington, DC, Manuel Rapalo says President Donald Trump’s warning that the US could be forced to “complete the job” if Iran continues its attacks raises new concerns about further escalation.
- Expert warns US-Iran conflict could escalate: Retired US naval officer Harlan Ullman says the latest “tit-for-tat” attacks between Washington and Tehran risk “getting out of hand”. He added that a surge in oil prices could pressure President Donald Trump to return to negotiations.
- US congressman says Iran strikes violate war powers measure: Democratic Representative Ro Khanna condemned the renewed US attacks on Iran as a “blatant violation” of the War Powers Resolution passed by Congress, warning: “Trump must stop this war now, or we will take him to court.”
In Israel
- Netanyahu hails Lebanon deal as blow to Iran: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the US-mediated framework agreement with Lebanon a “historic accomplishment” and “a massive blow to Iran and Hezbollah”. The deal, the biggest breakthrough between the neighbours in decades, aims to end hostilities while allowing Israel to maintain a security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
- Ben-Gvir calls Lebanon deal a ‘historic mistake’: Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the agreement gives Hezbollah the “lifeline it has begged for” and argued Israel should “crush”, not “anaesthetise”, the group. He said he opposed the deal in the Israeli cabinet and would continue to do so.
In Lebanon
- Trump congratulates Lebanon after signing ceremony: Lebanon’s presidency says President Donald Trump congratulated President Joseph Aoun after the signing ceremony for the US-brokered framework agreement with Israel and pledged US support for Lebanon’s economy and armed forces. Aoun urged Washington to ensure Israel complies with the deal and withdraws its troops from southern Lebanon.
- The Hezbollah group has rejected the Lebanon-Israel deal, calling it “null and void”.
