Iran launched another wave of drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday, escalating its military campaign after the United States carried out fresh airstrikes targeting Iranian positions.
Tehran described the attacks as retaliation and warned Washington that continued military action could bring negotiations over ending the conflict to a standstill.
The latest strikes have deepened concerns that diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire are rapidly losing momentum.
Strait of Hormuz Becomes the Center of the Dispute
A major point of disagreement remains the future of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
The latest fighting intensified after international efforts were made to reopen shipping routes through the strait without Iran exercising direct control over maritime operations.
On Saturday, a multinational maritime organization operating under US Navy oversight announced plans to widen a navigation corridor near Oman to facilitate commercial traffic entering and leaving the Gulf.
Tehran strongly opposed the move, viewing it as a challenge to its authority over the waterway.
Although the strait lies between Iranian and Omani territorial waters, much of the international community regards it as an international shipping passage.
Tehran Rejects Alternative Shipping Arrangements
Iranian officials maintained that any independent shipping system would only complicate efforts to restore normal maritime traffic.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that bypassing Iranian oversight would prolong disruptions and heighten regional instability.
According to him, attempts to establish alternative operational frameworks would delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while increasing tensions throughout the Gulf.
Iran has already targeted vessels navigating along routes near Oman’s coastline on two separate occasions during evacuation missions supported by a United Nations agency, reinforcing its insistence that only Tehran should regulate movement through the strategic channel.
Nuclear and Sanctions Negotiations Face New Obstacles
The military escalation comes as Washington and Tehran continue discussing an interim agreement covering several contentious issues.
Negotiators are attempting to resolve disputes involving maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, restrictions affecting Iranian ports, and the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Both governments are working under a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month, giving them 60 days to finalize the framework before broader negotiations can begin.
However, the renewed violence is placing those talks under increasing strain.
Regional Fighting Continues Beyond the Gulf
Instability is not limited to the Gulf region.
Fighting also persists in Lebanon, where an Israeli soldier was reportedly killed by Hezbollah fire early Sunday.
The ongoing clashes raise additional concerns about the durability of any broader ceasefire arrangement, especially since recent agreements involving Israel and Lebanon do not directly include Iran or Hezbollah.
Revolutionary Guard Claims Responsibility
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that it carried out the latest attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait.
Kuwaiti authorities said their air defense systems intercepted incoming drones and ballistic missiles shortly after the latest US strikes inside Iran.
Officials confirmed that two ballistic missiles were destroyed before reaching their targets, adding that no casualties or significant damage were reported.
Bahrain Reports Building Damage Near Airport
In neighboring Bahrain, authorities confirmed that an Iranian strike damaged a residential building located close to the country’s international airport.
The interior ministry released photographs showing severe destruction to the upper floors of an eight-story building, with shattered windows and structural damage visible throughout. Officials stated that no fatalities occurred.
Although Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, authorities emphasized that the damaged property was not located near the military installation.
Bahrain Condemns Iran’s Actions
Bahrain’s foreign ministry strongly criticized Tehran, describing the attacks as evidence of an ongoing and deliberate campaign rather than isolated incidents.
Officials accused Iran of pursuing a systematic strategy of repeated aggression that risks further destabilizing the region.
US Military Responds With New Airstrikes
The US military confirmed that its latest operations targeted a range of Iranian military assets, including surveillance infrastructure, communication networks, air defense systems, drone storage sites, and naval mine-laying capabilities.
According to US Central Command, the strikes followed an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel at sea on Saturday.
The ship involved, the Panamanian-flagged tanker Kiku, was transporting crude oil on behalf of Qatar’s state-owned energy company.
Qatar has remained one of the principal mediators attempting to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump Warns of Stronger Military Action
US President Donald Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire through a post on social media, warning that continued attacks could provoke a much larger American military response.
He declared that if the situation escalated further, the United States would be prepared to “militarily complete the job,” adding that such an outcome could threaten the survival of the Islamic Republic.
Commercial Shipping Continues Despite Elevated Threat
The latest cycle of violence began after an Iranian drone struck a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman on Thursday, prompting retaliatory US airstrikes.
Despite the deteriorating security environment, the multinational maritime organization overseeing Gulf shipping reported that commercial traffic has continued moving through the Strait of Hormuz under US-assisted protection.
Officials said 89 commercial transits had been completed during the past 72 hours.
While traffic has resumed, the figure remains below the historical average of approximately 138 vessels passing through the waterway each day.
Lebanon Agreement Leaves Key Players Outside the Process
Separately, Israel and Lebanon recently reached a framework agreement intended to halt the latest round of fighting that erupted after Hezbollah launched attacks in support of Iran.
Israel has continued to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, insisting it will not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed.
However, both Iran and Hezbollah were excluded from the agreement.
Hezbollah has publicly criticized the deal and rejected demands that it surrender its weapons, leaving uncertainty over whether peace efforts can ultimately succeed.
