Key facts
- The US and Iran have engaged in a new round of escalating strikes.
- President Trump threatened Iran with complete destruction if it doesn't adhere to a deal.
- The US struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites.
- Iran claimed to have destroyed US installations.
- Iran's IRGC vowed a stronger response to future US attacks.
- Iran claimed control of the Strait of Hormuz for 30 days.
- Iran urged the US to pressure Israel to cease attacks on Lebanon.
- Hostilities in the Gulf occurred 10 days after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
- Kuwait ratified a military and security cooperation agreement with Ukraine.
- Recent Iranian strikes targeted Bahrain and Kuwait.
The United States and Iran have entered a new phase of escalating strikes, threatening a fragile interim peace agreement. President Trump declared that the U.S. struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations and coastal radar sites for violating a ceasefire agreement. He warned that further aggression could lead to the complete destruction of Iran, stating the U.S. holds all the cards in negotiations and will win regardless of the outcome, citing Iran's diminished standing and the destruction of its nuclear program. Iran, through its IRGC, has vowed to retaliate more forcefully against any future US attacks. Iran also claimed to have destroyed US installations and warned of further action, following an IRGC claim of attacking a US airbase after a US strike near Bandar Abbas. US confirmation of drone strikes near the Strait of Hormuz has also been reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi stated that Iran has total control of the Strait of Hormuz for 30 days and called on the U.S. to pressure Israel to cease attacks on Lebanon and withdraw from occupied areas. These hostilities in the Gulf, occurring just 10 days after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding, risk reigniting conflict. The deal's broad wording on key issues like the Lebanon ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz passage is proving insufficient to de-escalate tensions, with both sides accusing each other of violations. In a separate development, Kuwait has ratified a military and security cooperation agreement with Ukraine, which Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated marks a new stage in their partnership. This ratification follows recent Iranian strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait.