US and Iran Exchange Strikes for Second Day, Threatening Fragile Ceasefire
The United States and Iran engaged in air attacks for the second consecutive day on Thursday, with President Donald Trump warning of further military action if Tehran does not agree to a peace deal. This escalation follows the downing of a US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, which ignited a series of retaliatory strikes across Iran and against US military bases in the region.
Escalation of Hostilities
The recent hostilities mark a significant threat to the fragile ceasefire established in April, raising concerns over the potential for a prolonged conflict that began in late February with extensive US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The US military reported that its latest operations targeted “military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites across Iran,” citing Tehran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression” as justification.
Trump indicated that US strikes would cease shortly but warned that heavy bombing would resume if Iranian leaders failed to sign an agreement with the United States immediately. Following his remarks, oil prices surged nearly $3, continuing to rise in early Asian trading on Thursday.
Iranian Counterattacks
The US Central Command announced that the strikes concluded approximately four hours after they began, shortly after midnight in Tehran. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched counterattacks on 18 US military targets located at airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. The IRGC also reported targeting the al-Azraq air base in Jordan for a second consecutive night, firing 12 ballistic missiles at the facility.
Kuwait’s military confirmed that its air defenses were engaged with hostile aerial targets, while Bahrain’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed Iranian aerial attacks, according to a media adviser to Bahrain’s king.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Iran’s top military command issued a warning that it would fire on any vessel attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed for months. Iranian media reported that two US ships were fired upon; however, US Central Command denied these claims, asserting that commercial vessels continue to transit the strait despite Iranian threats.
Reports from Iranian news agencies indicated explosions in several cities, including Sirik, Kargan, Bandar Abbas, Minab, and Karaj, as well as Varamin, located further north near the Caspian Sea.
Diplomatic Efforts and Military Strategy
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the military actions as a strategy to compel Iran into negotiations to end the conflict. He stated that the strikes would “advance our military interests and also enhance our diplomatic position.” Hegseth expressed hope that Iran would make a favorable decision, emphasizing that if negotiations required military force, the US would be prepared to act accordingly.
Despite ongoing military exchanges, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have stalled, with both sides trading fire since the ceasefire was established. Trump has repeatedly suggested that a deal is imminent, yet no significant progress has been made.
Continued Conflict and Humanitarian Concerns
On Wednesday, the US military targeted air defenses and radar installations around the Strait of Hormuz following the downing of the Apache helicopter. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, although US officials reported no significant damage.
Iran accused the US of striking reservoirs that supplied drinking water to ten villages, labeling the actions as violations of international law. A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry described the strikes as a “calculated war crime and a flagrant violation of human rights.”
The Pentagon did not respond immediately to requests for comments on these allegations. The ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties and disrupted approximately one-fifth of the global supply of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, leading to a sharp increase in prices.
Political Implications
The conflict has posed a political challenge for the White House, with polls indicating a decline in Trump’s approval ratings amid public dissatisfaction over rising gasoline prices. Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns that the war’s unpopularity could jeopardize their control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.
Fighting in Lebanon
In a related conflict, fighting continued in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed at least 13 individuals, according to Lebanese security sources, while Hezbollah claimed to have launched new attacks against Israeli forces. The Israeli military confirmed that two missile launches were detected near areas where Israeli troops are operating in southern Lebanon.
Tehran’s demands include an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, the lifting of sanctions on Iran, the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets, and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has insisted that Iran must cease its restrictions on shipping through the strait and that any peace agreement must ensure Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons, a claim Iran has consistently denied.
As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-06-10 23:02:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk