The United States and Iran have exchanged fresh attacks for a second consecutive night, escalating hostilities that have continued despite a ceasefire agreed in April.
Iran early on Thursday announced the full closure of the Strait of Hormuz following overnight US strikes on targets in the country, banning all shipping traffic. It warned that any vessels attempting to pass through the strategic waterway would be attacked, according to statements carried by state media.
State media shortly afterwards reported that two ships had come under fire.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), the command responsible for the region, disputed the claim, saying commercial ships continued to enter and exit the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media rejected the US account.
The strait is one of the world's most important energy transit routes, responsible for significant volumes of oil, liquefied natural gas and other commodities. Shortly after the war began in late February, Iran largely brought shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a standstill through threats and attacks on vessels.
The US in mid-April imposed its own naval blockade on Iran in an effort to cut off the country's oil revenues.
US says it 'completed' latest Iran strikes
CENTCOM later said US forces had "completed" its latest round of strikes targeting military intelligence facilities, communications systems and air defence positions that it said posed a threat to US forces and international shipping.
"The strikes are in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready," it wrote on X.
Iranian media reported explosions near the southern cities of Minab and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island and in the port city of Bandar Abbas. Two people were reportedly injured. Separate explosions were also reported near the commuter hub of Karaj, just a few kilometres west of Tehran, where state media said combat drones had been spotted.
The latest escalation followed US strikes earlier this week on Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations and radar installations in response to the downing of a US military helicopter. Iran subsequently launched attacks on US bases in the Gulf region.
Iran attacks US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait
Iran's armed forces, also on early Thursday, said they had again targeted Bahrain and Kuwait in response to the latest US strikes. Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace to civilian aviation and said air defences had been activated.
The country later reopened its airspace, saying the circumstances that had prompted the precautionary measures no longer existed.
Sirens also sounded in Bahrain, where authorities urged residents to seek shelter.
Iranian state media said a regional US Navy headquarters in Bahrain had been targeted with kamikaze drones aimed at Patriot air defence systems.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said they had targeted one US air base in Bahrain and two in Kuwait, saying a total of 18 targets had been attacked.
Both Bahrain and Kuwait host major US military bases and have repeatedly come under Iranian missile and drone attacks in recent weeks.
Trump: 'The most violated ceasefire in the history of the world'
US President Donald Trump meanwhile accused Tehran of repeatedly violating the truce that came into force on April 8, describing it as "the most violated ceasefire in the history of the world," according to comments reported by Fox News.
The broadcaster also quoted Trump as warning that the United States would intensify its bombing campaign unless Iran agreed to a framework deal to end the war.
According to the report, Trump said the US military fired 49 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iran and also used fighter jets, with the closest target to Tehran located around 65 kilometres outside the capital.
