US again pounds Iran after Strait attack as Gulf states come under fire

The United States launched its largest wave of air strikes yet against Iran after a commercial vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fresh round of Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf and pushing hopes of a lasting ceasefire to the brink.

The overnight escalation saw U.S. forces strike around 140 Iranian military targets, while Tehran retaliated by targeting several Gulf nations hosting American forces, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.

Massive US retaliation

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday's operation targeted missile launchers, drone facilities, ammunition depots, communications equipment and other military infrastructure linked to Iran's recent attacks on international shipping.

Officials said the strikes were intended to weaken Iran's ability to threaten commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay," U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said following the operation.

It marks the third round of American strikes in the past week as Washington seeks to keep one of the world's most important shipping lanes open.

Gulf nations targeted

Iran responded within hours by launching missiles and drones towards several Gulf states that host U.S. military installations.

Qatar said it intercepted incoming missiles, although falling debris reportedly injured three people, including a child.

Missile alerts also sounded in Bahrain and Kuwait, where air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming projectiles.

In neighbouring Oman, drones struck sites close to the Strait of Hormuz, despite the country hosting diplomatic talks with Iran only a day earlier.

The United Arab Emirates also activated air raid warnings, although officials said no Iranian missiles entered its airspace.

Ship ablaze in Strait

The latest confrontation was triggered after a Cyprus-flagged container ship was attacked while using a shipping corridor close to Oman's coastline.

According to CENTCOM, the vessel suffered severe engine room damage and was left ablaze, forcing the crew to abandon ship. India later confirmed that all crew members were Indian nationals and said it was assisting search-and-rescue operations after one sailor was initially reported missing.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed the vessel had ignored repeated warnings and refused to follow what it described as the "approved route" through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has now declared the strategic waterway closed "until further notice" and warned it could target additional military bases if further American attacks continue.

Ceasefire in jeopardy

The latest fighting threatens to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts to end a conflict that began on February 28.

Although Iranian and Omani officials held talks on Saturday, Tehran stopped short of guaranteeing that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to international shipping—a key demand of the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump has indicated that the interim ceasefire is effectively over, although mediators from Qatar, Egypt and Pakistan continue efforts to revive negotiations.

New supreme leader vows revenge

Adding to the tension, Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, used his first public statement since succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, to vow revenge against those responsible for his father's death.

Calling retaliation "the will of our nation," he pledged Iran would continue resisting what he described as foreign aggression.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials have suggested that recent attacks may have been driven by a rogue faction of Iranian hardliners attempting to sabotage diplomatic efforts, although Tehran insists its leadership remains united.

With the Strait of Hormuz once again at the centre of the crisis, fears are growing that the conflict could widen further, threatening global energy supplies and drawing more countries into an increasingly volatile regional confrontation.

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to have no weapons left... all lies.

regards worgeordie