US Strikes Expand in Northern Iran as Forces Disable Blockade-Running Ship

The United States expanded strikes on targets in northern Iran and disabled a blockade-running ship in the Strait of Hormuz while Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US military bases in neighboring Gulf states. These Iran strikes mark the latest phase in renewed hostilities that have now stretched across multiple days.

US Intensifies Strikes Across Northern Iran

US forces conducted a six-hour wave of strikes targeting Iranian command centres, air defence sites, coastal surveillance facilities in locations including Bandar Abbas, Greater Tunb Island, Chabahar and Ahvaz. [2] The US military said it inflicted the strikes to degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners in the Strait of Hormuz. [2] Explosions were heard across Iran and air defences were triggered in Tehran according to Iranian state media. [2] Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said a children's cancer treatment centre in the western city of Ahvaz had been evacuated after strikes on a nearby location. [2] BBC Verify has authenticated video footage of strikes on three coastal cities in Iran including Chabahar, Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas. [2] The United States intensified its strikes on Iran early Thursday hitting targets further north as American forces also fired into a ship the US accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic. [1] The latest exchanges came after US President Donald Trump warned Iran it had better behave or face further military action should Iran not return to negotiations. [2]

Iran Retaliates Against US Bases in Gulf States

Iran launched attacks on US military bases and facilities in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain striking radar systems, Patriot air defense batteries, communication systems and fuel storage tanks. [5] Tehran said it had struck targets in the region including in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain as a sixth day of renewed hostilities strained their preliminary deal to end the war. [2] Kuwait's military said it intercepted drone attacks while Bahrain's interior ministry told citizens to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place. [2] The Iranian military also said it targeted US communication systems and fuel storage facilities in Jordan in its latest round of strikes. [2] Iran's foreign ministry spokesman confirmed the strikes on US military radar and defense systems in Kuwait and Bahrain. [5] Military statements indicated strikes on radar systems, Patriot air defense batteries and fuel storage tanks used by US forces at Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base. [5]

US strikes target Iranian command centres and air defence sites in northern coastal cities. — Source: bbc

Naval Blockade and Disabled Tanker in Strait of Hormuz

The US resumed a naval blockade on Iranian ports that had been lifted under a prior memorandum of understanding firing on and disabling an unladen Curacao-flagged oil tanker attempting to reach a blockaded port. [1] On Tuesday the US said it had resumed a blockade on Iranian ports which was previously lifted as part of a deal that was struck by the two countries last month known as a memorandum of understanding. [2] The following day the US fired on and disabled an unladen Curacao-flagged oil tanker which Centcom said was attempting to sail toward a blockaded Iranian port. [2] The Strait of Hormuz remains closed causing a sharp rise in global oil prices as tanker traffic has stalled. [2] As tensions intensify the Strait of Hormuz a critical waterway off Iran's coast that Tehran effectively blocked in response to US-Israeli strikes remains closed. [2] The US resumed its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz firing at a ship that attempted to breach it. [3]

Rising Oil Prices and Economic Impact

As the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz continues there has been sharp rise in oil prices globally triggered by tanker traffic virtually stalling through the key shipping lane. [2] The closure has prevented normal tanker movements through the vital route that carries significant volumes of global oil supplies. [2] This development follows the renewal of the US blockade on Iranian ports and the disabling of the Curacao-flagged vessel. [2]

Trump Warnings and Calls for Negotiations

President Trump warned Iran to return to negotiations or face further action including potential targeting of energy infrastructure while welcoming Iran's release of American detainee Dena Karari as a goodwill gesture. [2] On Tuesday Trump threatened to target Iran's energy infrastructure if Tehran failed to return to talks. [2] Trump welcomed what he saw as a potential olive branch from Tehran in freeing an American detainee that the US president said had been wrongfully detained in December 2024. [2] The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran Trump wrote on Wednesday on his Truth Social platform. [2] The woman Dena Karari was on her way back to the US according to her attorney Jared Genser in a post on X. [2] Trump stated Iran already understands the consequences if it continues to refuse to return to the negotiating table. [4]

Iran's Position on the Fragile Deal

Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated Tehran has no reason to abide by any agreement that does not benefit the country and warned of possible closure of other oil and gas export routes. [2] Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told state media Tehran had no reason to abide by any agreement that did not benefit the country. [2] He added that Iran's national security depended on maintaining what he described as Iranian arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. [2] In response to the renewal of the US blockade Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps warned the US that it should expect the closure of other oil and gas export routes that serve the interests of the United States and its allies. [2] Ketua Parlemen Iran sekaligus negosiator utama Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said his country does not have reason to remain compliant with an agreement if it does not provide benefit for Iran. [4]

What to watch next: Further exchanges remain possible as the US has signaled readiness for additional strikes on energy infrastructure if Iran does not return to negotiations while Iranian officials have warned of potential actions affecting other export routes.