US and Iran trade strikes for second night in a row as Tehran aims at Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar

US and Iran Conduct Further Strikes in Strait of Hormuz Region

US Central Command carried out strikes on Iranian military targets on 8 and 9 July, according to statements from the command. Iranian officials reported that the strikes hit infrastructure in five provinces and affected bridges and a railway line connecting Tehran to Mashhad. Iranian state media described damage in coastal areas including Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Sirik, Jask, and the island of Abu Musa.

Iran's Ministry of Health stated that 14 people were killed and 78 injured in the US strikes, with 47 remaining in hospital. These figures come from Iranian government sources and have not been independently verified by other parties.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it conducted strikes on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, describing the action as the initial phase of a response to what it called treaty violations. Kuwait reported intercepting missiles and drones, Bahrain recorded explosions in its capital Manama, and Qatar issued a security alert.

US Central Command said the strikes targeted 90 Iranian military sites, including air defense systems and logistics infrastructure along the coastline, with the stated purpose of reducing Iran's capacity to interfere with commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The command noted that the operations followed strikes conducted the previous night.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on X that the United States had not learned that certain actions carry costs, and stated that the Strait of Hormuz would operate under Iranian arrangements. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also posted on X, indicating that Iran would respond to statements with actions.

Phil Belcher of Intertanko told BBC Radio 4 that daily transits through the southern route of the strait had fallen to single figures, compared with roughly 70 a week earlier and a pre-conflict average of 130. He said roughly 20 vessels were using a northern route. Belcher attributed the reduction to the recent escalation and noted effects on shipping schedules and crew operations.

Iranian state television reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Konarak, and Chabahar, as well as strikes on ports and the island of Abu Musa. Iranian media also reported power outages in Chabahar and a fire at an IRGC facility in Bushehr. The Iranian Students' News Agency stated that two of three affected power lines in Chabahar had been restored.

US Central Command previously attributed its operations to Iranian actions against commercial vessels. On 7 July the US military conducted strikes after attacks on three tankers. Earlier exchanges occurred on 26 and 27 June following incidents involving cargo ships.

A memorandum of understanding signed on 17 June between the United States and Iran included provisions for a 60-day ceasefire period, continued negotiations, safe passage through the strait, and the lifting of certain US sanctions on Iran. US President Trump stated on 8 July that the agreement was no longer in effect and that further talks would not proceed. Iranian officials have maintained that the 60-day period has not concluded.

The current exchanges represent the most sustained period of direct strikes since the June agreement. Both sides have continued to issue statements attributing responsibility for the escalation to the other.