US strikes Iranian targets as Iran retaliates against bases in Gulf

United States military forces have conducted a second consecutive day of strikes against Iranian targets, escalating an already volatile conflict in the Gulf and casting doubt on the viability of a recently established ceasefire. The military action, confirmed by US Central Command (Centcom), follows a drone attack on a Panama-flagged oil tanker, the M/T Kiku, which was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday morning. Centcom reported that the vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil when it was struck. The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. ET.

The US strikes targeted a range of Iranian military infrastructure, including surveillance systems, air defense sites, communication networks, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities. These operations, conducted at the direction of the US Commander in Chief, serve as a direct response to what the US military characterizes as continued aggression against commercial shipping. Centcom officials noted that while Iran was given an opportunity to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, it elected not to follow through with the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed on 17 June.

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Retaliation and Regional Response

In response to the US strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched a combined operation involving missiles and drones against US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain. The IRGC claimed its forces destroyed eight significant military facilities, specifically naming the Ali al-Salem base in Kuwait and the Fifth Fleet naval base in Port Salman, Bahrain. Following these reports, both Kuwaiti and Bahraini authorities activated their air defense systems, with the latter urging citizens to seek shelter.

The IRGC stated that any future aggression against Iran, under any pretext, would be met with a crushing response. Furthermore, Iranian officials warned that violating the ceasefire agreement would lead to a complete halt of all diplomatic processes.

Breakdown of the Memorandum

The latest exchange represents a significant breakdown in the 14-point memorandum of understanding, which was intended to secure a 60-day pause in hostilities and ensure the safe, toll-free passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, a critical artery for global energy markets, has been a focal point of the conflict since late February, when the US and Israel initiated attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to effectively shut down the corridor and causing a spike in global commodity prices.

Official Statements

US President Donald Trump addressed the conflict on social media, warning that if Iran fails to cease its violations, the United States will be forced to complete the military objective it started. He cautioned that failure to comply could result in the end of the Islamic Republic of Iran as an entity. Similarly, Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the administration would adhere to the ceasefire but warned that further violence would be met with direct military force.

Chronology of Recent Hostilities

• 17 June: US and Iran sign a 14-point memorandum of understanding to end hostilities and keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
• 25 June: A drone attack strikes the Singapore-flagged cargo ship M/V Ever Lovely.
• 26 June: US military conducts initial retaliatory strikes against Iranian missile and drone storage sites.
• 27 June: A drone hits the M/T Kiku in the Strait of Hormuz; US responds with a second wave of strikes on Iranian coastal radar and military facilities.

As the conflict persists, commercial vessel operators remain on high alert. Despite the ongoing exchanges, Centcom has stated that commercial transit through the strategic waterway will continue under US military monitoring.