US, Iran launch more attacks as mediators urge warring sides to uphold MoU | Drone Strikes News
US-Iran Hostilities Escalate Amid Failed Ceasefire
The United States and Iran have engaged in hostilities for a second consecutive day, following remarks from President Donald Trump declaring that a recent ceasefire is “over.”
The US military announced late Wednesday that its attacks were directed at Iran’s capabilities to threaten navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Central Command (CENTCOM), US forces targeted approximately 90 military sites, including missile and drone storage facilities along Iran’s coastline.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump characterized the US strikes as “retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran,” warning that further provocations could lead to intensified responses.
This escalation comes one day after the US struck more than 80 targets in Iran in retaliation for attacks on commercial vessels in the vital waterway.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that it had targeted “key infrastructure and facilities” at military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. The Iranian military also claimed successful strikes on a Patriot missile system in Kuwait, a satellite antenna in Qatar, and US fuel depots in Bahrain.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that it was intercepting incoming missiles and drones, while Qatar issued an alert concerning an “elevated security threat.”
The renewed violence jeopardizes a memorandum of understanding (MoU) established last month to extend an April ceasefire and gradually reopen shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the conflict, Trump hinted at a possibility for renewed negotiations. While returning to the US from a NATO summit in Turkiye, he stated that Iranian officials had recently expressed a desire to reach a deal.
US Strikes Across Iran
Reports from various official media indicate that US strikes have impacted a railway bridge in northeastern Iran, with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) citing damage to a military site in Bushehr, the location of Iran’s only civilian nuclear power plant.
As a precaution, the Iranian railway announced a temporary suspension of train services between Tehran and Mashhad while technical teams work to repair the damaged sections. Bus services have been arranged for affected passengers.
Eyewitness reports indicated heavy military activity over Kish Island, along with explosions in the port cities of Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar. The Iranian media reported at least three casualties near Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan province, and the confirmed death of a firefighter at an airport facility in Iranshahr. Iran’s Health Ministry stated that the recent clashes have resulted in at least 14 fatalities and 78 injuries over the past two days.
Calls for Diplomatic Resolution
In mid-June, the US and Iran signed an MoU aimed at extending their ceasefire, which involved lifting a naval blockade and gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz for maritime traffic. This agreement was reached following mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar, leading to 60 days of discussions on deeper issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and access to frozen funds.
Tehran has maintained a blockade of the strait since a series of strikes by the US and Israel intensified tensions in February, asserting it has the authority to target vessels straying from specified routes.
Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar Atas observed that both sides appear entrenched in a deadlock regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that US policy aims to limit Iran’s influence in the region, while Iran regards control of the strait as vital to its strategic interests and negotiating leverage.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to exercise restraint, a sentiment echoed by Pakistani officials. In a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stressed the importance of committing to diplomatic solutions to end the conflict. Both sides acknowledged the significance of dialogue in resolving regional issues.