DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States and Iran continued to exchange strikes for a second consecutive day, escalating tensions in the Middle East. The U.S. attack, which extended into Thursday morning, was reportedly more intense than the previous day, although Iran provided limited information regarding the damage incurred. An Indian official reported that a U.S. strike on an oil tanker, which was allegedly violating a blockade on Iranian ports, resulted in the deaths of three Indian mariners, highlighting the risks faced by seafarers in the region.
This marked the third instance of strikes in the region within a week, following earlier attacks between Iran and Israel. The recent exchanges have affected countries hosting U.S. military bases. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that the U.S. attacks had rendered the ceasefire “meaningless,” though it did not officially declare an abandonment of it.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies, remains a focal point in negotiations, with disruptions contributing to rising fuel prices and increased costs for basic goods. Iran announced that the strait was closed, although the extent of this closure was unclear, as traffic had already been severely restricted since the onset of the conflict. The U.S. Central Command disputed Iran's claim and noted that U.S. military operations had successfully navigated the strait in recent weeks.
The ongoing conflict also includes disputes over Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran claims is peaceful, while the U.S. and Israel express concerns about potential weaponization. U.S. strikes have targeted Iranian military capabilities, including surveillance and air defense systems, although details on the damage remain sparse.
Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, with Kuwait temporarily closing its airspace. Jordan reported intercepting 20 Iranian missiles aimed at a base housing U.S. troops, with no injuries reported. In Bahrain, an 11-year-old girl was injured due to debris from missile interceptions.
The situation remains volatile, with Israel on alert for potential fire from Lebanon, where it is engaged with Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned group. Trump indicated that U.S. military efforts have successfully transported oil shipments past Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming over 100 million barrels have evaded Iranian control, although this figure has not been independently verified. The U.S. military accused the tanker Settebello of violating the blockade, leading to the fatal incident involving Indian mariners. India's foreign ministry has formally protested the U.S. strike, expressing deep concerns over the attack.