The fragile ceasefire agreement to end the US-Iran war was in peril on Wednesday after Tehran attacked American bases in the region in retaliation for renewed US strikes on Iran.
In the latest blow to diplomacy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said targeted key US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait and shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone attempting to interfere in its operation.
Air raid sirens sounded in both countries and the Kuwaiti army said its air defences were confronting “hostile” attacks. There was no immediate comment from the US military.
US Central Command claimed to have struck more than 60 small boats of the IRGC as punishment for Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Washington also revoked a license allowing Iran to sell oil.
Iranian media earlier reported explosions in Iran's main oil hub of Kharg Island, on Qeshm Island and in the southern port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
Key Points
- Iran accuses US of violating peace deal after fresh strikes
- Iran claims drone strike on US forces at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Base
- Air raid sirens sound in Kuwait and Bahrain after US strikes Iran
- IRGC claims it shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone
- Flights resume at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport
- Renewed strikes on Iran 'absolutely necessary' says Rutte
What we know about Iran's retaliatory strikes
08:00 , James ReynoldsIran hit back at targets across the region after the US launched a wave of attacks in response to strikes on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The IRGC said it launched missiles and drones at a key US military sites in Bandar Salman in Bahrain;
- It also claimed strikes on the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
- Air sirens sounded in both Bahrain and Kuwait. There was no immediate comment from the US military.
- Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, condemned the earlier US strikes as a "blatant act of aggression," threatened a "crushing response”.
- Iranian media said the US strikes hit Sirik and Bandar Abbas on the coast.
- Iran's Press TV reported several blasts were heard in southern Kharg Island.
- US Centcom earlier said it had targeted more than 60 small boats of the IRGC.
- No civilian deaths were reported in Iran, but several people were injured by shrapnel from an "enemy projectile" that hit a commercial pier in Sirik, according to an Iranian state TV reporter.
Renewed strikes on Iran 'absolutely necessary' says Rutte
07:25 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump’s renewed strikes on Iran were "absolutely necessary," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday, following a wave of attacks after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
"When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react," Rutte told reporters before a summit of Nato leaders in Ankara.
At their summit, European leaders aim to convince Donald Trump to re-commit to the military alliance, after the U.S. president revived his disputes with them over the Iran war and Greenland.
Rutte said there could be no doubt over the "complete commitment of the United States to NATO," which he said also works to protect the United States.
"But there's also the expectation that the Europeans and the Canadians will equalise their spending with the United States, which I think is completely fair," he added.
Former MAGA members criticise Trump for Iran attacks
07:08 , Maroosha MuzaffarSome former prominent figures associated with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement have criticised the US's latest strikes on Iran, arguing they undermine Trump’s pledge to avoid prolonged foreign conflicts.
Former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned why the US resumed bombing Iran despite previously claiming its military had been severely weakened.
“We are back to bombing Iran during the ceasefire for the Iran war that is not a war because Iran bombed a vessel for crossing the Strait of Hormuz that they don’t control yet apparently control,” she wrote on X.
She continued: “I’m so glad that Trump ran for president to end forever foreign wars otherwise I might start thinking this war that is not a war that we won like 40 times is starting to turn into another forever foreign war in the Middle East.”
We are back to bombing Iran during the ceasefire for the Iran war that is not a war because Iran bombed a vessel for crossing the Strait of Hormuz that they don’t control yet apparently control.
— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) July 8, 2026
Not sure how they bombed the vessel because we have totally and completely…
Former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent said the attacks effectively ended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran.
“We are back to attempting to find a military solution to the SOH,” he wrote on X, referring to the Strait of Hormuz.
“The problem is we signed the MoU because there was no military solution & we needed the SOH open,” he said, adding, “Our best option is to walk away.”
Watch: US launches strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial ships
06:45 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran claims drone strike on US forces at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Base
06:26 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran says it has launched a drone attack targeting US forces stationed at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Base in retaliation for recent US strikes on southern Iran.
In a statement, the Iranian military warned that continued US violations of the ceasefire would make all American military bases in the region “legitimate targets” for its drones.
The claim came shortly after Bahrain activated air raid sirens for a second time on Wednesday. Earlier, IRGC said it had targeted 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to the US attacks on Iran’s southern provinces.
Iran claims it targeted 85 US military sites in Bahrain, Kuwait
05:51 , Maroosha MuzaffarIRGC says it has launched attacks on 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, describing the operation as retaliation for what it called a US ceasefire violation.
The claim comes after the US carried out fresh strikes on Iranian military targets around the Strait of Hormuz, saying the operation was in response to attacks on commercial vessels.
Iran has framed its latest action as a direct response to Washington’s military operation.
Iran accuses US of violating peace deal after fresh strikes
05:39 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran has accused the US of breaching their peace agreement after American forces launched fresh strikes around the Strait of Hormuz in response to attacks on three commercial vessels.
Washington said the operation targeted Iranian weapon launch sites, air defence systems and coastal surveillance facilities.
Tehran, however, condemned the strikes as a violation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last month and warned it would take “decisive measures” in response.
The latest escalation comes as the US also revoked a temporary sanctions waiver that had allowed Iran to export oil, further raising tensions between the two countries.
Everything we know about the latest US strikes on Iran
05:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar- US Central Command said the military operation began on Tuesday in retaliation for attacks on three commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not confirmed or denied responsibility for those incidents.
- According to Centcom, US forces struck more than 80 targets, including air defence systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites and anti-ship missile capabilities. The military also said it targeted over 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats.
- Iranian state media reported explosions at several locations in southern Iran, including Sirik, Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Kharg Island.
- State broadcaster IRIB claimed that most of the strikes hit civilian areas, adding that several people were injured by shrapnel after a projectile struck the commercial pier in Sirik.
- Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters condemned the US operation as a “blatant act of aggression” and warned that the country’s armed forces would deliver a “crushing response”.
- The military command also insisted it would not tolerate foreign interference in the Strait of Hormuz, saying commercial ships and oil tankers should use only the maritime route designated by Iran.
Flights resume at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport
04:55 , Maroosha MuzaffarFlight operations at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport have resumed after a temporary disruption caused by the latest escalation between Iran and the US.
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that the airport returned to its normal flight schedule from 5am local time on Wednesday.
The resumption comes hours after fresh US strikes targeted military sites in Iran, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Authorities have not announced any new restrictions on commercial air traffic.
IRGC claims it shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone
04:40 , Maroosha MuzaffarIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it has shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in southern Iran, according to Iranian state media.
Press TV reported that the drone was brought down during the latest escalation between Tehran and Washington, though it did not immediately provide details on the exact location or the circumstances of the incident.
The US has not yet commented on Iran’s claim or confirmed the loss of the unmanned aircraft.
The reported downing comes as tensions continue to soar following fresh US strikes on Iranian military targets and amid fears of a wider regional conflict.
Air raid sirens sound in Kuwait and Bahrain after US strikes Iran
04:33 , Maroosha MuzaffarAir raid sirens have sounded in both Kuwait and Bahrain following fresh US military strikes on Iran, as tensions continue to escalate across the Gulf.
Bahrain’s interior ministry urged residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place after sirens were activated, while sirens were later also reported in Kuwait.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, vowed defiance following the US strikes, writing on X: “The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold.”
The developments come after US Central Command said it struck more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) small boats in and near the Strait of Hormuz, along with Iranian air defence systems, command-and-control networks, coastal radar sites and anti-ship missile capabilities.
