Iran retaliates after fresh US strikes amid fragile ceasefire

Iran launched retaliatory action against a US military base on Thursday after American forces struck targets in southern Iran, raising fears of renewed escalation in the Middle East conflict despite an existing ceasefire.

The confrontation marked the most serious violence since the April truce and threatened diplomatic efforts focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing a formal peace agreement.

Iranian state media reported that Iranian forces had earlier opened fire on four ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

A US official told AFP that American forces later targeted a ground control facility in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed retaliatory strikes in response to the US attack.

“Following this morning’s aggression by the invading U.S. military against a location on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport using aerial projectiles, the American air base that served as the source of the attack was targeted at 4:50 am (0120 GMT),” the Guards said in a statement carried by IRIB.

While the Guards did not reveal the exact location of the targeted base, Kuwait said its military air defences were responding to an “enemy” attack.

The latest clashes raised uncertainty over negotiations aimed at ending the war that began on February 28 after US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained central to discussions, with Iran effectively restricting passage through the waterway and disrupting global energy supplies.

Oil prices climbed following reports of the attacks, erasing much of Wednesday’s losses driven by hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough.

The conflict also spread further into Lebanon, where Israel announced strikes on the southern city of Tyre and expanded warnings against Hezbollah-controlled areas.

Israeli military chief Lieutenant Colonel Eyal Zamir said the country was “intensifying our operations” against Hezbollah, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “crush” the armed group.

At the same time, President Donald Trump warned Oman, a mediator in the crisis, that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open.

“No, the strait is going to be open to everybody,” Trump said. “It’s international waters and Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up.”

In Tehran, some residents expressed fears that the conflict could escalate again despite ongoing peace talks.

“I feel like nothing is certain yet,” said Amir, a 27-year-old software developer. “The daily question is: Will there be missile strikes tonight?”

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