Iran attacks five Gulf states, shuts Hormuz after US bombing: Escalation spirals
Iran launched missile and drone attacks on five Gulf countries and closed the Strait of Hormuz following the third round of US strikes, dramatically escalating the conflict.
Iran on Sunday claimed attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and Oman, calling them a response to renewed US bombings on cities along its southern coast. Tehran also declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, accusing Washington of violating a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last month.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its third round of strikes hit about 140 military targets in Iran, including missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage, communication networks, and coastal surveillance locations. More than 300 targets were struck over three nights. Iranian state media reported attacks on the outskirts of Veysian in Lorestan province and five cities in Bushehr province.
Iran's parliament speaker and peace negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on X: "The era of one-sided deals is over. We told you: keep your word or pay the price." US President Donald Trump ended the ceasefire with Iran on Wednesday, followed by Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei pledging to avenge his father's killing.
In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran fired a warning shot at a vessel using an unapproved route, then disabled a second vessel on Sunday. The strait will remain closed until "the end of US interference in this region," the IRGC said. The waterway is vital for global trade, carrying 20% of the world's energy flow.
Gulf reactions: Oman condemned the attacks and said it is taking all necessary measures. Qatar's Interior Ministry raised the security threat level to high, urging residents to stay in safe places. Earlier, three people including a child were wounded by shrapnel from intercepted Iranian fire in Qatar. Kuwait's army said it was responding to "hostile aerial targets," and Bahrain activated air raid sirens.
The conflict escalated after Iran struck three commercial vessels, including a Qatari LNG tanker, off Oman last Monday. The US responded with strikes on Iranian military targets, prompting tit-for-tat attacks that led to the current crisis.
