The United States launched widespread airstrikes across Iran early Thursday, hitting about 90 targets, while Tehran retaliated by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in another escalation that placed the interim agreement aimed at ending the Persian Gulf war under severe strain.

The renewed fighting came hours after US President Donald Trump said recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz indicated that the fragile ceasefire was “over”. Sirens sounded repeatedly across Gulf countries as Kuwait said it was intercepting incoming missiles and drones, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.

US Military Strikes About 90 Targets Across Iran

The US military’s Central Command said American forces struck about 90 targets across Iran during the latest operation.

Central Command released black-and-white footage that appeared to show attacks on an airport runway and missile launchers.

“US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief,” it said.

The US military said the strikes were intended to “further degrade” Iran’s ability “to threaten freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz.

Before the war began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, about a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas passed through the strategically important waterway.

The latest operation followed American strikes early Wednesday on Iranian military installations and port facilities after Tehran targeted several merchant vessels off the coast of Oman.

Explosions Reported Across Iran, Firefighter Killed

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.

Authorities said a strike on an airport in Iranshahr killed a firefighter.

The latest US attacks also appeared to target bridges for the first time since April.

Iranian state media reported that a railway bridge in the northeastern Golestan province was struck, while the Revolutionary Guard said two bridges were targeted along the route to Mashhad.

Officials plan to bury Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad on Thursday. It was unclear whether the strike reported in Golestan was among the attacks mentioned by the Revolutionary Guard.

Iran Targets Bahrain, Kuwait And Qatar

Iran responded to the US strikes by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, further widening the latest exchange of attacks across the Persian Gulf.

Sirens sounded at least twice in Bahrain, which hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

There were no immediate reports of damage in Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar.

Kuwait’s military said it was actively intercepting incoming drones and missiles, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.

The latest escalation followed attacks on three tankers on Tuesday, which prompted US strikes against Iran. Iranian forces subsequently retaliated by targeting American military installations in the Persian Gulf.

Trump Warns Iran Against Further Attacks

After leaving a NATO summit in Turkiye, Trump posted several videos on social media that he said showed explosions in Iran and warned Tehran against carrying out further attacks.

“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 earlier said the latest fighting would not lead to “long-term” US military action.

“Anything that happens is going to happen very fast,” he said, while also suggesting that the US military might “just finish the job.”

The US president repeated earlier threats to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including electric power and desalinisation plants, and seize Kharg Island, the country’s key oil-production hub.

About 90 per cent of Iran’s oil exports pass through Kharg Island.

Iran Warns US Strikes Will Bring Retaliation

Iran maintains that the interim ceasefire agreement gives Tehran the right to manage traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a key negotiator in talks aimed at securing a permanent end to the conflict, warned Washington against 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 on X on Thursday morning.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also responded to Trump’s declaration that the ceasefire was effectively over.

Gharibabadi said Trump’s remarks “are not a sign of power but an admission of the failure” of US policy towards Iran.

Trump Says Ceasefire Is ‘Over’ As Oil Prices Rise

Trump added to concerns about a renewed wider conflict by saying the agreement to pause fighting was “over”, although he said negotiations between Washington and Tehran could continue.

“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump said when asked about the status of the ceasefire.

The US president said American representatives could continue negotiations but questioned whether further talks would produce results.

“They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” Trump said.

Oil prices rose following Trump’s remarks amid concerns that renewed fighting could spread across the wider Middle East and again disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Final Peace Talks Face Fresh Uncertainty

The renewed attacks on commercial shipping despite ongoing negotiations could indicate divisions within Iran’s leadership over the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

Hard-line factions favour maintaining lasting control over the strategically important waterway, while pragmatists are pushing for a permanent peace agreement that could ease sanctions and provide economic relief.

Final negotiations aimed at securing a lasting end to the conflict were expected to begin after Khamenei’s funeral, which concludes on Thursday and had been expected to provide a period of reduced tensions.

The planned talks are intended to address the most difficult issues in the conflict, including fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz and rolling back Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.

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