New Delhi, Jun 11: The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified sharply on Thursday as Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against American military installations in the Gulf region following a fresh wave of US attacks on Iranian targets, raising fears of a broader regional war and triggering concerns over global energy supplies.
The latest escalation came after the United States military carried out a second consecutive day of strikes inside Iran, targeting military surveillance systems, communication networks and air defence installations.
In a statement, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had conducted “additional self-defense strikes against multiple targets in Iran.”
“CENTCOM forces launched strikes on Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defence sites across Iran. US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters,” the statement said. The US military described the operation as a response to what it called Iran’s “unwarranted and continued aggression.”
According to the BBC, explosions were reported across several Iranian cities, including Bandar Abbas, Karaj, Isfahan, Minab, Sirik and Kish Island, with attacks occurring in multiple waves. Air defence systems were activated in several locations before the situation appeared to calm later in the day.
US President Donald Trump had earlier signalled further military action, declaring that Iran had “taken too long to negotiate a deal.”
“We hit them hard yesterday and we’re going to hit them hard again today,” Trump told reporters before the strikes.
IRAN LAUNCHES RETALIATORY STRIKES
Tension appeared to be spreading across wider West Asia. Iran responded within hours by launching missile attacks against U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to reports carried by Iranian state media and cited by BBC and Al Jazeera.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that retaliatory operations had begun against American forces across the region. Iranian military officials also claimed that ballistic missiles were fired at the Al-Azraq air base in Jordan, which hosts American military assets. The IRGC said the attack targeted the U.S. F-35, F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft as well as command facilities at the base. There was no independent confirmation of the claim. Kuwait’s armed forces confirmed that they were responding to missile and drone threats and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.
The renewed exchanges have further weakened a fragile ceasefire reached between Washington and Tehran in April. Although the truce had reduced large-scale hostilities, both sides have continued intermittent attacks in recent weeks.
Iranian President MasoudPezeshkian vowed that Tehran would not bow to external pressure. “Iran will stand firm against any pressure or threat,” Pezeshkian said.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of undermining diplomatic efforts, saying the United States was “damaging the diplomatic process through the contradictory messages it sends.”
SHIPS CARRYING INDIAN SAILORS ATTACKED
The crisis has also drawn India directly into the diplomatic fallout after New Delhi accused US forces of striking a third vessel carrying Indian sailors near Oman’s coast. According to media reports quoting officials, the Ministry of External Affairs said the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel Jalveer, carrying 20 Indian sailors, was struck near the Shinas port of Oman on Thursday morning. India’s Shipping Ministry said all crew members were reported safe and evacuation efforts were continuing.
During a press briefing in New Delhi, officials stated that three separate strikes on the vessels Settebello, Marivex and Jalveer had “come from the U.S. Navy.”
New Delhi authorities said 13 Indian-flagged vessels and more than 18,000 Indian sailors remain stranded across the Gulf region, including 562 sailors aboard Indian-flagged ships. The latest developments come after an attack on the tanker Settebello, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.
STRAIT OF HORMUZ DISPUTE INTENSIFIES
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. According to Al Jazeera’s reporting from Tehran, Iran’s central military command declared that all maritime traffic through the waterway had been halted and warned that any vessel attempting to transit the strait would be targeted. Iranian state media further reported that the IRGC had attacked two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, competing claims have emerged regarding the actual status of shipping through the strategic waterway. BBC reported that CENTCOM said 134 vessels had been redirected after complying with U.S. instructions since the blockade began in April, while eight vessels deemed non-compliant had been “disabled.” The U.S. military also said it had permitted 42 humanitarian ships to pass through the area.
The US military disputed claims that shipping had stopped entirely.
“CENTCOM confirms commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz,” U.S. officials said.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that more than 200 commercial ships had safely passed through the strait under US protection. “Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 million barrels of oil making its way through the Strait, and into the open market. More than 200 commercial ships have safely travelled through the Strait,” Trump wrote.
“The United States of America controls the Strait of Hormuz — not Iran. Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost,” he added.
Iran, however, continues to insist that the shipping channel remains completely closed. Adding to the confusion, Iranian officials cited by BBC claimed that a cargo vessel carrying “essential goods” to Iran was struck in the Gulf of Oman, with five crew members rescued after the attack. The United States has not commented on that reported incident.
The Pentagon also rejected Iranian media reports claiming a U.S. warship had been hit in the strategic waterway. “Iranian media sources are claiming that Iran has attacked a U.S. warship in the Strait of Hormuz. FALSE. No U.S. warships have been struck,” a U.S. defence official said.
OIL PRICES SURGE, INFLATION PRESSURES RISE
Markets reacted swiftly to the growing conflict. Brent crude oil prices climbed above $95 per barrel after reports of the Strait’s closure and tanker attacks emerged. The energy shock is already affecting the global economy. According to CNN, U.S. consumer inflation accelerated to 4.2 per cent in May, the highest level in three years. Consumer prices rose 0.5 per cent during the month, with energy costs accounting for approximately 60 per cent of the increase. CNN reported that economists had anticipated the rise largely because of disruptions linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran and concerns over oil supplies.
UN WARNS OF REGIONAL CRISIS
United Nations Secretary-General AntónioGuterres expressed alarm at the rapidly deteriorating situation, warning that the region risked sliding into a much larger conflict. “The Middle East is being pulled deeper into crisis and the consequences reach far beyond the region,” Guterres wrote on X.
“This week has brought wider attacks and further deterioration where the ceasefire is more like a lesser-fire.” “We should not minimize the risks of lesser fire becoming full fire. All parties must work towards a diplomatic settlement. No more attacks. No more excuses,” he added.
Diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, while military activity across the Gulf, Iran, Israel and neighbouring states continues to raise concerns that the confrontation could evolve into a broader regional conflict with significant economic and geopolitical consequences.
