Iran Strikes: Fires on US Bases in Kuwait Bahrain and Jordan After Strikes
US missiles struck multiple targets across Iran on Friday for a 13th consecutive night, prompting Iranian retaliation against US bases in neighboring countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq after Iran strikes. [1]
US Strikes Hit Iranian Military Sites
US missiles struck a Revolutionary Guards Navy headquarters in the Ziba Kenar area of the Caspian Sea province of Gilan. [1] Provincial authorities said US projectiles had also struck the port city of Bandar Anzali. [1] Four people were killed and five injured in a US attack on the Iranian city of Ahvaz. [1] Additional strikes reportedly hit Iran’s Qeshm Island, Isfahan province, southwest Khuzestan province and southern Fars province. [4] US Central Command said the latest barrage was designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters. [4]
Iranian Retaliation Targets Regional US Bases After Iran Strikes
Iran fired missiles and drones at US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Erbil in Iraq. [1] Jordan’s army said it had downed seven Iranian missiles and six drones, and that the attack had caused no material damage or casualties. [1] Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned the populations of Gulf countries of potential strikes against US military personnel who may be using buildings in cities as locations to direct their crimes. [1] The head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central military command threatened that for every proud citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran who is martyred, one American service member will be sent to hell. [4]
Trump Comments on Military and Diplomatic Options
Trump said the US is talking to Iran which appears serious about a deal but left open options for heavier military action including striking energy plants, bridges or nuclear sites, while stating the US is locked and loaded. [1] Asked what is the exit strategy for the Iran war, Trump said there is a military exit where we just keep going just the way we are, and we can even make it a heavier dose, and it is knocking out everything they have, or there is a smarter strategy that you make a deal. [1] He added that the US is locked and loaded and ready to go. [1]
Houthi Actions and Economic Fallout
Houthi strikes on two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea boosted oil prices above $100 before they fell back to around $96. [1] The attacks forced several other tankers to turn around and head north through the Suez Canal, potentially using a much longer route to reach Asia by sailing around Africa. [1] Shipping insurance costs through the southern Red Sea doubled for some companies on Thursday. [1] The number of tankers crossing through the Strait of Hormuz fell to just one on Thursday, the lowest since May 7. [1]
Diplomatic Efforts Involving Pakistan
Pakistan is exploring paths for resumed US-Iran talks following a China-initiated push, with Iran's interior minister visiting Islamabad. [1] Exploratory discussions took place during a visit by Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to Islamabad this week, his second within the last 10 days, three Pakistani sources said. [1] Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar of Pakistan met his counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Friday. [4]
Casualties and Regional Warnings
Iranian health ministry reported 59 killed and 666 wounded since late June. [1] The war has killed 18 US service members. [1] The Pentagon said on Monday that 100 service members had been injured since Jul 7 and 96 per cent have returned to duty. [1] Officials have told Reuters that more than 500 US troops have been injured so far. [1] The US embassy in Baghdad said US citizens in the Middle East should exercise caution and remain on heightened alert. [1]
What to watch next is whether stalled talks between the US and Iran resume following the Pakistan visit and China push, or whether the US expands targets to include energy plants and bridges as previously threatened.
