Key facts
- Missile and drone attacks were reported near Kuwait, with air defenses intercepting them.
- Bahrain reported warning sirens and urged residents to seek safety.
- The United States reported shooting at a tanker headed toward Iran.
- Explosions were heard near Qeshm Island, close to the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut to maritime traffic.
- A shipping vessel in Iraq's Umm Qasr port was struck by two projectiles.
Hostilities in the Gulf have escalated with reports of missile and drone attacks on Kuwait, which Kuwait's army stated its air defenses were intercepting. Bahrain also reported warning sirens and urged residents to seek safety. The United States confirmed it shot at a tanker heading towards Iran. Explosions were heard near Qeshm Island, an area close to the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the latest in a series of flare-ups since the conflict began over three months ago. The conflict is currently in a stalemate, with the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and LNG supplies, remaining largely shut to maritime traffic. Despite a tentative initial agreement to halt the war reportedly reached between Iran and the United States last week, both sides have yet to formally sign off on the deal. Iranian media suggests Tehran has not communicated with Washington for several days, though U.S. President Donald Trump stated that negotiations are ongoing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that sanctions relief for Iran would only be granted if the country gives up its nuclear activities. Meanwhile, Israel has continued its strikes in southern Lebanon, and a shipping vessel belonging to MSC was struck by projectiles in Iraq's Umm Qasr port, an attack Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for in retaliation for a US action.