Strait of Hormuz tensions rise as Iran hits Bahrain and Kuwait after US airstrikes

Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait following new US airstrikes, and warned it may halt war talks if Washington continues. Separately, a US Navy overseen maritime body moved to expand shipping routes near Oman, prompting Iran to restate that only Tehran should govern access to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran launched drones and missiles towards Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday. The strikes followed new US airstrikes on Iran. Tehran also warned that talks to end the war could stop. Iran said negotiations would halt if Washington kept attacking.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it carried out the Bahrain and Kuwait attacks. Kuwait reported that air defences stopped Iranian drones and two missiles. The interceptions came just after US strikes in Iran. Kuwait reported no injuries and no damage.

Iran missile attacks and Bahrain, Kuwait damage reports

Bahrain said the strikes damaged a residential building near the international airport. Bahrain said no one was killed. Bahrain hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Officials said the damaged building was not close to its headquarters.

Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry criticised the attack in strong terms. It described the strikes as part of an ongoing pattern. "a dangerous escalation that reveals that what Tehran is doing is not a passing act, nor an isolated incident, but rather a deliberate approach and a systematic pattern of repeated aggression.\"

Later on Sunday, Qatar said shrapnel linked to military activity killed one civilian. Qatar said another person was injured. Qatar said the incident followed a vessel missing its scheduled return on Saturday. The statement provided no further details.

Strait of Hormuz dispute and US Navy maritime route

Tensions also rose around the Strait of Hormuz after moves backed by the US Navy. A multinational maritime body said Saturday it would widen a route near Oman. The plan covered both inbound and outbound ship traffic. Iran said such steps created a new flashpoint.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi repeated on Sunday that Tehran must control the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow entrance to the Persian Gulf. It once carried about a fifth of global oil and gas. \"Any attempt to establish new or separate arrangements from those currently being carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran will only lead to further complications, delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and increase the level of tension,\" Araghchi said.

Many countries view the strait as an international waterway. The channel lies within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. Iran has attacked vessels on the Omani-side route twice in recent days. Those incidents occurred during an evacuation effort supported by a United Nations agency.

US-Iran talks and interim deal timeline

The US and Iran have been discussing an interim deal linked to the strait. Talks also covered a US blockade on Iranian ports and sanctions on Iran. Negotiators have also discussed Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Under a memorandum signed this month, both sides have 60 days to finalise details.

Pakistan, described as a key mediator, earlier said talks would resume Tuesday. The interim deal aims to stop fighting on all fronts first. After that, negotiators would address several key issues. Fighting linked to Lebanon has been cited as a risk to the agreement.

Trump warning and US Central Command strikes

The US military’s Central Command said it struck several Iranian targets. It cited surveillance infrastructure, communications, and air defence sites. It also listed drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities. The strikes followed an attack on a ship at sea on Saturday.

The Panamanian-flagged tanker Kiku carried crude for Qatar’s state-run energy company. Qatar has acted as a key mediator between Iran and the US. US President Donald Trump accused Iran of breaking the ceasefire on social media. \"If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!\" Trump wrote.

The latest exchanges began after an Iranian drone hit a merchant vessel off Oman on Thursday. The US military then responded with strikes. The multinational maritime body said ship traffic had risen over 72 hours. It said US-assisted commercial transits continued without disruption.

The maritime body said 89 US-assisted commercial transits had taken place. That figure remained below the historic average of 138 vessels daily. It said traffic increased off both Iran and Oman. It also noted the threat environment stayed elevated.

Lebanon conflict control unit and Hezbollah clashes

Last week, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a framework to end recent fighting. The latest round started after Hezbollah fired at Israel. That attack came two days after the Iran war began. Israel later invaded southern Lebanon and said it would stay until Hezbollah disarmed.

The framework did not include Iran or Hezbollah. Hezbollah criticised the deal and rejected calls to disarm. On Sunday, Araghchi said the US must force Israel to stop attacks and withdraw. Israel occupies about 600 square kilometres in southern Lebanon as a buffer, Israel said.

Hezbollah’s leader said Saturday the group would keep fighting until Israel withdrew. Iranian state broadcaster reported comments from Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on Sunday. Qalibaf said a new conflict control unit among Iran, the US and Lebanon should meet soon. Israel’s military said Hezbollah killed an Israeli soldier in Deir Siryan overnight, and Hezbollah did not comment.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported two strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday morning. One hit Taybeh town, and another hit the Nabatiyeh area. There was no immediate information on casualties. The report came as Israeli strike frequency had fallen since the Iran-US deal was signed.

With inputs from PTI