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The United States and Iran have traded fresh strikes, with Washington launching a new round of attacks on Iranian territory and Tehran responding with missile and drone assaults on US-linked targets across the Gulf. The escalation has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and prompted missile alerts in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.

The latest US strikes came after President Donald Trump declared the end of a fragile ceasefire, vowing to hit Iran 'hard' following Iranian attacks on ships in the strait. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the waterway would remain closed 'until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region,' according to a joint statement from European foreign ministers.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from multiple outlets converge on the sequence of events: Iran attacked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the US responded with airstrikes, and Tehran retaliated against US facilities in Gulf states. The South China Morning Post reported that Trump reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and that American forces traded fresh strikes with Tehran. Dawn, citing Iranian state media, reported explosions in port cities and claimed the Revolutionary Guards destroyed US military targets, including a command and control centre in Jordan, a radar site in Kuwait, and aircraft carrier support platforms in Oman.

The Hindu noted that Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar sounded missile alert sirens early Thursday morning, with Kuwait's military saying it was intercepting incoming drones and missiles. Oil prices rose after the strikes, according to both The Hindu and the South China Morning Post, denting hopes for a full reopening of the strait.

RFI — English reported that the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Britain condemned Iran's attacks on shipping and on countries in the region, including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan. The three countries, known as the E-3, called for the resumption of the ceasefire negotiated in early April.

Key Claims

  • The US launched new strikes on Iran after Trump vowed to hit 'hard' following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. This was reported by The Hindu and Dawn.
  • Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz, leading to US strikes. Dawn reported that Iran struck a container ship on Sunday, and the Revolutionary Guards said they had disabled a second vessel.
  • Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar sounded missile alert sirens early Thursday morning warning of an Iranian attack. The Hindu reported this, adding that Kuwait's military said it was actively intercepting incoming drones and missiles.
  • Oil prices rose after the US launched fresh strikes against Iran, denting hopes for an end to the war and for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Hindu and South China Morning Post both reported this.
  • Iran says the Hormuz Strait will open only under 'Iranian arrangements.' The Hindu reported this claim from Iran's chief negotiator.
  • The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Britain condemned Iran's attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and on countries in the region. RFI — English reported this, quoting a joint statement.
  • US President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and American forces traded fresh strikes with Tehran. The South China Morning Post reported this.
  • Iranian officials reported more than 260 people wounded in the latest overnight US strikes. The South China Morning Post reported this.

Perspectives

Iran: Tehran insists it controls the Strait of Hormuz and has vowed to keep it closed until the US ends its aggression. The Revolutionary Guards said they destroyed US military targets in response to American strikes.

United States: The US military said it launched a '90-minute wave' of precision strikes that 'further degraded Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping.' President Trump said the ceasefire was over but left the door open to negotiations.

European Union (E-3): The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Britain condemned Iran's attacks as 'heinous' and called for the resumption of the ceasefire and negotiations.