US launches airstrikes on Iran, with Tehran firing back at 3 Gulf states

FE Team | Published: July 09, 2026 21:46:58

DUBAI, Jul 09 (Agencies): The United States (US) launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, and Tehran responded by hitting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in crossfire that again threatened an interim deal intended to help end the war in the Persian Gulf.
The strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump said recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of the fragile ceasefire. The US struck a variety of military sites and port facilities early Wednesday following Iran's targeting of several merchant vessels off the coast of Oman, sparking Iranian fire then as well.
But Thursday's attacks appeared bigger all around, with sirens sounding at least twice in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters. There was no immediate word of damage in the three Gulf Arab countries. Kuwait's military said it was actively intercepting incoming drones and missiles.
Military officials said in a social media post that the latest strikes were intended to "further degrade" Iran's ability "to threaten freedom of navigation" in the strait, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas passed before the war began with US and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28.
Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including Bushehr, home to Iran's nuclear power plant complex, and the southern port cities of Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Abbas and Sirik.
After leaving a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump posted several videos on his social media site of what he said were explosions in Iran and issued another warning to the Islamic Republic.
"This is in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" Trump wrote.
Trump had said earlier in the day that the latest back-and-forth fighting would not result in "long-term" military action.
"Anything that happens is going to happen very fast," Trump said, though he also suggested the US military might "just finish the job."
Trump also renewed his past threats to hit Iran's civilian infrastructure, including electric plants and desalinization plants, and to seize the oil-production hub of Kharg Island.
After three tankers were hit Tuesday, the US launched strikes on Iran, and Iranian forces retaliated by targeting American military sites in the Persian Gulf.
Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was at a near standstill on Thursday, according to data and sources, as shipping risks escalated after the US renewed airstrikes on Iran, triggering retaliation by Tehran in the Gulf.
Meanwhile, Jordanian government spokesperson Dr Mohammad Al Momani said air raid sirens were activated by the Public Security Directorate on Thursday following reports of the Kingdom's airspace being breached by missiles launched from Iran, which were intercepted and dealt with. Al Momani added the Jordanian Armed Forces remain on high alert, ready to address any threats as he urged citizens and residents to adhere to governmental guidelines and avoid spreading false news.
In a phone with his Kuwaiti countrepart on Thursday, Saudi Foreign Minister condemned the Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain reiterating the need to return to dialogue and halt in escalations.
Earlier, Amnesty International on Thursday accused Israel of wiping out families in its strikes on Lebanon during its war with Hezbollah, calling for these attacks to be investigated as war crimes.
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 by launching rockets at Israel in support of its backer Iran.
Israel responded with major airstrikes and a ground invasion, killing more than 4,300 people according to Lebanese authorities, including more than 250 children.