US Launches New Strikes on Iran; Iran Retaliates by Shelling Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday that it had conducted new strikes against Iran aimed at reducing Tehran's capacity to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. According to CENTCOM, the strikes hit about 90 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, missile and drone storage facilities, and other sites.

Iran's Mehr news agency reported explosions in the port cities of Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar. The new strikes came nearly a day after the US hit more than 80 targets in Iran in retaliation for Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in or near the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump had previously stated that US forces could strike again, but predicted the new outbreak of hostilities would end quickly and left the door open for further negotiations.

In response to the US strikes, Iran shelled Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait on Thursday morning. Kuwait's army said its air defense intercepted "hostile missile and drone attacks," and explosions were also heard in Bahrain and Qatar after air raid sirens sounded. No damage has been reported from these attacks on the Gulf Arab states.

Iran had also attacked Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday in response to previous US airstrikes, which were launched after Iran attacked three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.