Washington: The United States has carried out a seventh consecutive night of airstrikes against targets in Iran, further escalating tensions after President Donald Trump declared the temporary ceasefire agreement between the two countries to be over.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces targeted surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage facilities and maritime capabilities during the latest operation. According to the military, fighter aircraft, drones and warships were used in the strikes, which concluded after several hours.
Iran responded by launching attacks targeting US allies in the region, including Kuwait, where authorities reported damage to a power plant, water desalination facility and an oil installation. Jordan said it intercepted 10 Iranian missiles that entered its airspace overnight, while Bahrain reported that its air defence systems successfully intercepted incoming Iranian attacks.
The latest exchanges mark one week of renewed hostilities after the collapse of a temporary ceasefire reached in mid-June to facilitate peace negotiations. The conflict has also seen the United States reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes for oil and liquefied natural gas.
In a written statement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei accused the United States of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement, saying Washington’s actions demonstrated that the commitments made by the US administration could not be trusted. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also said Tehran had suspended its obligations under the agreement following the latest US military action.
Meanwhile, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned the reported Iranian attacks on Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, describing them as serious violations of international law and calling for international accountability over attacks targeting civilian infrastructure.
