Washington and Tehran traded military blows for the second day running on Thursday. Tensions soared as both sides unleashed strikes across the Middle East region.
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran's leadership. He demanded they negotiate a peace agreement immediately or face escalating American military action.
Days of rising tensions preceded the latest violence. A US Apache helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week, sparking tit-for-tat attacks across the region.
American forces carried out what they called defensive strikes against Iranian targets. The operations focused on military surveillance systems, communications networks and air defence infrastructure in southern Iran.
US Central Command justified the action as a response to ongoing Iranian aggression. Officials said Iran had repeatedly targeted American forces and their interests in the region.
Trump indicated the bombing could end soon. But he made clear: fresh attacks would follow if Tehran refused to sign a deal with Washington.
Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst reported Trump's position to viewers. According to him, the president said military operations would halt shortly unless Iran's leaders rejected a settlement.
Energy markets reacted with alarm to the escalating crisis. Brent crude jumped to around $95 per barrel as traders feared a prolonged conflict could disrupt global oil supplies.
Iran struck back swiftly and forcefully. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it attacked 18 American military targets across the region.
The Guard said it hit bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. American naval facilities linked to the Fifth Fleet also came under fire, according to Iranian state media.
Ballistic missiles pounded the Muwaffaq Salti Airbase in Jordan for the second night running. Iranian officials claimed they destroyed numerous US fighter jets and military installations.
Independent verification of those claims remained unavailable. The Revolutionary Guard provided no evidence supporting its assertions about destroyed aircraft.
In Bahrain, debris from shot-down Iranian drones caused damage across residential neighbourhoods. Manama and Hamad Town reported property destruction, with an 11-year-old girl suffering minor injuries from falling debris.
Air raid sirens wailed across the kingdom as defence systems worked to intercept threats. Authorities kept the population on constant alert throughout the attacks.
Kuwait closed its airspace temporarily following the strikes. Regional governments braced for further escalation as the crisis deepened.
Attention focused increasingly on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran's senior commanders warned that vessels passing through could face attack.
Iranian media claimed two American ships had been fired upon in the waterway. US Central Command flatly rejected those reports.
Commercial shipping continued moving through the strait normally, according to American officials. They insisted no American naval vessels had sustained any damage.
Across Iran, explosions rocked multiple cities including Bandar Abbas, Minab, Sirik and Karaj. American strikes targeted military installations scattered throughout the country.
This exchange represents the gravest threat yet to the ceasefire brokered in April. Diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran grew increasingly strained.