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Fez – The United States and Iran exchanged new military strikes on Saturday, with both sides accusing each other of violating a ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month, raising fears that tensions in the Gulf could escalate again.
The latest fighting began after a drone struck the Panama-flagged oil tanker “MT Kiku” in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was another act of aggression against commercial shipping.
US Central Command (Centcom) said American fighter jets carried out strikes on 10 Iranian military targets in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The targets included air defense systems, communication facilities, military equipment, and drone storage sites.
“Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to,” Centcom said, describing the operation as a direct response to the tanker attack.
Iran rejected the US account and accused Washington of violating the ceasefire first.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said American forces attacked five Iranian coastal positions under what it called the false pretext of responding to naval activity in the Gulf.
In retaliation, the IRGC said it launched ballistic missiles and drones at US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, including Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
Iran claimed the attacks destroyed key infrastructure at both locations.
However, a US official told Reuters there were no reported American casualties and no major damage to US military facilities.
Iran also warned that it would tighten control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC said vessels violating Iran’s navigation rules would face stronger action in the future, adding that any attack on Iranian territory would receive what it described as a “crushing response.”
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The Iranian Foreign Ministry also condemned the US strikes, calling them a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement and accusing Washington of failing to honor its commitments.
US President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social by warning Tehran that it might eventually force the United States to “militarily complete the job” it had started.
He added that if such action became necessary, “the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist.”
Following the exchange of strikes, Kuwait said its air defense systems had intercepted hostile missiles and drones, while Bahrain urged residents to remain calm and move to safe locations if necessary.
Despite the renewed violence, Centcom said commercial shipping continues to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation comes one day after the United States carried out separate retaliatory strikes on Iran following a drone attack on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship “MV Ever Lovely” on June 25.
Washington said that the attack breached the ceasefire by targeting international shipping.
Iran argued that the cargo ship had used an unauthorized route through Gulf waters and insisted the US military response itself violated the agreement.
The ceasefire was established on June 17 under a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending hostilities.
One of its key provisions called on Iran to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days without imposing charges.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying a large share of global oil and gas exports.
It was effectively closed earlier this year after the war between Iran, the US and Israel intensified, causing global oil prices to surge and disrupting international trade.
Although US officials have recently said negotiations with Tehran were progressing, the latest exchange of strikes has raised fresh doubts about the future of the ceasefire and the security of one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
