Lead

Iranian armed forces have launched attacks on US military targets in neighbouring Gulf states, including Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to American strikes on Iran's southern coastal and eastern provinces. The escalation has put further strain on a three-week-old ceasefire agreement, with US President Donald Trump saying he believed the ceasefire was over, as reported by ABC Australia.

The attacks came as Iran buried its slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, at a shrine in Mashhad, the culmination of a week of mass funeral processions and rallies. Khamenei was killed in a US airstrike on the first day of the war on February 28, according to ABC Australia. His body was carried by truck through crowded streets towards the Shrine of Imam Reza, with black-clad mourners waving Iranian flags and photographs of the late leader.

Coverage Comparison

ABC Australia reported that the US military had yet to comment on whether it had launched another wave of strikes against Iran, prompting the latest activity across the region. President Trump ordered attacks on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with US Central Command saying 90 sites were hit. Iran then opened fire on US bases in Gulf states, including Bahrain and Kuwait, in response, according to the same report.

Separately, ABC Australia reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy issued a statement warning of a 'crushing response' to any further US intervention in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that attacks on Iran and intervention in redirecting shipping had disrupted the waterway's gradual reopening. The Guards claimed that shipping through the strait had recovered to about 50% of pre-war levels over the past two weeks, and that transit capacity was only being expanded for vessels granted permits to use routes designated by Iran.

Africa News reported that Iran said it had received proposals from mediators as back-and-forth attacks with the United States continued. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said at a briefing: "Proposals have been put forward and conveyed to us by the mediators. We have received them, but please excuse me from going into their details." He also dismissed US statements about being open to diplomacy, saying, "We have seen and tested their so-called readiness before. When the U.S. talks about diplomacy, it actually means dictation, intimidation, threats and sanctions."

Africa News also reported that the US conducted a new round of airstrikes early Monday, hitting an area around a northwestern city believed to be home to underground missile bases. Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, as stated by both ABC Australia and Africa News.

Key Claims

  • Iranian armed forces launched attacks on US military targets in neighbouring Gulf states, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Iran opened fire on US bases in Gulf states, including Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to US strikes, as reported by both ABC Australia and Africa News.
  • Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Iran was preparing to bury former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy warned of a 'crushing response' to US intervention in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • President Donald Trump believes the ceasefire with Iran is over, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • The US military had yet to comment on the latest wave of strikes, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of resuming military campaign against Iran, vowing to do so "with even greater force," as reported by ABC Australia.
  • US Central Command struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Iranian officials reported 14 people killed and 78 injured in US attacks, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • Iran received proposals from mediators, as reported by Africa News.
  • Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed US statements about being open to diplomacy, as reported by Africa News.
  • The US conducted a new round of airstrikes on Iran, as reported by Africa News.

Perspectives

Iran: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that proposals from mediators had been received, but dismissed US statements about openness to diplomacy as "dictation, intimidation, threats and sanctions." He said Iran's response would be to defend its dignity and national sovereignty, and that "as long as these crimes and military aggression against Iran continue, our armed forces will continue to respond." The Revolutionary Guards Navy warned of a 'crushing response' to further US intervention in the Strait of Hormuz.

United States: President Donald Trump said he believed the ceasefire with Iran was over after attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and ordered attacks on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with US Central Command saying 90 sites were hit, as reported by ABC Australia.

Israel: Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country was prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if needed, vowing to do so "with even greater force." He said, "The army is ready and on alert for a resumption of fighting, in order to regain air superiority and strike again... in Iran, to eliminate threats, including a third time if necessary," as reported by ABC Australia.