United States Launches New Airstrikes on Iran as Iranian Fire Targets Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar

The United States launched new airstrikes hitting Iran early Thursday, and Iranian fire targeted Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar as the crossfire again threatened an interim deal aimed at ending the war gripping the Persian Gulf.

“US launches new airstrikes on Iran, with Tehran firing back at 3 Gulf Arab states US launches new airstrikes on Iran, with Tehran firing back at 3 Gulf Arab states DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States launched new airstrikes hitting Iran early Thursday, sparking retaliatory Iranian fire targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in crossfire that again threatened an interim deal aimed at finding a way to end the war gripping the Persian Gulf”

AP News

The AP reported that the strikes came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of the fragile ceasefire, and that the U.S. military hit a variety of military sites and port facilities early Wednesday following Iran’s targeting of several merchant vessels off the coast of Oman.

AP News

The AP said Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including Bushehr and the southern port cities of Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Abbas and Sirik.

U.S. Central Command said the latest strikes were intended to “further degrade” Iran’s ability “to threaten freedom of navigation” in the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas passed before the war began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28.

In parallel, CBS News said Trump, when asked about the ceasefire with Iran, replied that “as far as I’m concerned, it’s over,” while also saying he was not sure he wants to make a deal with the Iranians.

Trump framed the escalation as retaliation, posting on social media that “This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!” while also telling reporters that the ceasefire was over.

CNN reported that Iran’s deputy foreign minister called Trump a “criminal” after the U.S. president had warned about new strikes, and that sirens warning of an incoming threat sounded in both Bahrain and Kuwait according to authorities.

BBC

The BBC described the same sequence through the lens of markets and local alerts, saying oil prices rose by 1% this morning in Asia after Trump said on Wednesday that the peace agreement with Iran was “over,” and noting that alarm sirens had been activated in Bahrain via X.

BBC also said the southeastern Iranian port city Chabahar had been hit for the first time during the conflict, with Tasnim reporting about ten explosions in Chabahar and Konarak and power cut off in parts of Chabahar.

In a separate account, CNBC said Trump told reporters in Ankara that “Let’s just finish the job,” and described his view that he was “not sure” he wants to make a deal with Tehran.

Even as the U.S. and Iran traded strikes, AFP reported that American sources told AFP on Thursday that American and Iranian negotiators had reached a framework for an agreement that would extend the ceasefire for 60 days, while still awaiting approval from President Donald Trump.

“What to know about the Iran war today: - The U”

CBS News

AFP also said a source on the Iranian negotiating team denied the accuracy of those reports to Tasnim News Agency, saying “this is not correct and the text has not yet been finalized,” underscoring the uncertainty around whether the interim arrangement would hold.

France 24 reported that the framework gained significance because the fire exchange late Wednesday into Thursday was described as the most serious since the ceasefire was announced on April 8, with U.S. forces saying they intercepted five attacking drones and prevented a sixth from taking off from the Bandar Abbas area.

The BBC said the chances of reaching a long-term agreement looked slimmer than ever, while also noting that President Trump had not formally pulled the U.S. out of the negotiating process.

In the meantime, AP said the retaliatory Iranian fire targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar again threatened the interim deal aimed at finding a way to end the war gripping the Persian Gulf, with Kuwait’s military saying it was actively intercepting incoming drones and missiles.