The United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes on Saturday, targeting military and infrastructure sites as tensions continued to escalate over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The latest round of attacks has intensified a conflict that has disrupted global shipping, aviation operations, and critical infrastructure across the Gulf region. The US Central Command said its forces carried out their seventh consecutive night of strikes, hitting what it described as surveillance facilities, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage sites, and maritime capabilities.
The strikes were part of Washington’s ongoing campaign against Iranian military assets amid the deepening confrontation. Iran, meanwhile, continued retaliatory attacks across the region, with several neighbouring countries reporting missile and drone activity. Kuwait said it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, but one strike hit a water desalination facility, triggering a fire. The incident was particularly significant as Kuwait relies heavily on desalination plants for its drinking water supply.
According to the Kuwait Fire Force, several firefighters and a worker were injured while responding to fires caused by Iranian attacks. The country also temporarily closed its airspace due to missile threats, while Kuwait Airways announced changes to flight schedules affecting operations to and from the capital. Other Gulf nations also reported security incidents linked to the escalating conflict. Iraq said it intercepted attack drones over Irbil, while Jordan’s state-run Petra news agency reported that its air defence systems had brought down Iranian missiles.
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Air raid sirens were also activated multiple times in Bahrain following security alerts. Iranian officials said recent US strikes had killed dozens of people and injured hundreds inside the country. The US military also confirmed that additional American service members had been wounded during the ongoing operations, adding to concerns over the expanding impact of the conflict. A major point of tension has been the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
Iran has effectively restricted shipping movement through the strategic waterway since the conflict began on February 28, creating uncertainty in global energy markets. The disruption has pushed oil prices higher, with crude prices rising above $86 per barrel on Friday, approaching their highest level in a month. Shipping activity through the strait has also declined significantly, increasing pressure on international energy supplies and raising concerns over further economic consequences.
US President Donald Trump, in an address to Americans on Thursday, said the military campaign against Iran was progressing successfully. “We are likewise winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly,” Trump said, defending the ongoing operations. The conflict comes after earlier diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme. Before the escalation, the two countries had been engaged in talks aimed at resolving disputes, but those negotiations have now been overshadowed by military confrontation.
The widening conflict has placed pressure on regional governments, global markets, and international shipping networks. Trump is facing domestic political pressure to bring the fighting to an end, particularly as he had previously criticised prolonged military engagements in the Middle East. With no immediate signs of a breakthrough, concerns remain over whether the confrontation could expand further and draw more countries into the crisis. The situation around the Strait of Hormuz continues to be closely monitored due to its importance for global energy security and international trade.
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