US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran has effectively ended after American forces launched extensive overnight strikes against more than 80 Iranian military targets, though he indicated that diplomatic engagement remains an option.
The military operation was launched late Tuesday after three commercial oil tankers were reportedly attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy shipping route. Washington blamed Iran for the incident and responded with what it described as a large-scale retaliatory campaign.
In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces carried out a series of powerful precision strikes aimed at imposing significant costs on Iran for threatening international shipping and attacking vessels carrying civilian crews in international waters.
Iran swiftly retaliated. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched missiles and drones at 85 US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, calling the American strikes a breach of the ceasefire agreement. Tehran also warned that further attacks would be met with an even stronger response.
Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming missiles and drones, while missile warning sirens sounded across Bahrain as Gulf nations moved to counter the attacks.
The latest military escalation unfolded as Trump attended the NATO summit in Ankara, where he renewed criticism of alliance members for failing to fully support the US campaign against Iran and for not spending enough on defence.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended Washington’s actions, describing the overnight strikes as “absolutely necessary.”
While declaring the ceasefire “over,” Trump stopped short of ruling out diplomacy, saying the United States remains willing to pursue talks if Iran refrains from further aggression. The exchange has sharply heightened fears of a broader regional conflict and renewed concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil exports passes.
