DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States launched new airstrikes across Iran early Thursday, while Iran retaliated by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, escalating tensions despite an interim ceasefire aimed at ending the conflict in the Persian Gulf.
The latest exchange followed renewed fighting after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz had ended the fragile ceasefire. The United States carried out strikes early Wednesday against military sites and port facilities after Iran targeted merchant vessels off the coast of Oman.
Thursday’s attacks expanded the conflict, with air raid sirens sounding at least twice in Bahrain, which hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Officials did not immediately report damage in Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar. Kuwait’s military said it intercepted incoming drones and missiles, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.
The U.S. Central Command said American forces struck about 90 targets across Iran, including airport runways and missile launchers.
“U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief,” Central Command said.
The United States said the strikes aimed to further reduce Iran’s ability to threaten navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil and natural gas exports.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Bushehr, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Iranshahr. Authorities in Iranshahr said an airstrike killed a firefighter at an airport.
Iranian media also reported strikes on transportation infrastructure. State media said an attack hit a railway bridge in Golestan province, while the Revolutionary Guard said two bridges on the route to Mashhad came under attack. Officials planned to bury the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad on Thursday.
After departing a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump posted videos on social media that he said showed explosions in Iran and warned Tehran against further attacks on commercial shipping.
“This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!” Trump wrote.
Earlier, Trump said the renewed fighting would not lead to prolonged military action but added that the United States could “finish the job.” He also repeated previous threats to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure and seize Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export terminal.
Iran has maintained that the interim ceasefire allows it to regulate traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on X that the United States would face consequences for further military action.
“America still hasn’t learned that bullying and breaking promises are no longer cost-free. Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit,” Qalibaf wrote.
Trump later said he considered the ceasefire effectively over, although he said negotiations could continue.
“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump said. “They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time.”
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded on X, saying Trump’s remarks reflected “an admission of the failure” of U.S. policy toward Iran.
The renewed attacks on shipping and military targets raised concerns that negotiations to reach a permanent agreement could collapse. Talks were scheduled to resume after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the conflict on Feb. 28.
Negotiators had planned to address reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program as part of efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement.
