US-Iran Exchanges Attacks, Gulf Nations Also Affected
Iran launched missile and drone attacks against several United States (US) interests in the Middle East on Wednesday (2/9), in retaliation after the US struck Iranian military targets. This latest escalation expands a conflict that has persisted for over six months and involves several of Washington’s allies in the region.
Iranian media reported that Tehran launched ballistic missiles at two US bases in Jordan. The Jordanian military stated it had intercepted 10 missiles fired from Iran, while three others landed in remote, uninhabited areas. There have been no official reports of casualties or damage from these strikes.
Iranian attacks were also reported in Kuwait and Bahrain. The Iranian military stated that its drones targeted US forces at an airbase in Bahrain. Kuwait stated its air defence systems intercepted drone attacks, while Bahrain reported that all attacks were successfully intercepted.
The escalation follows US strikes on several targets in Iran on Tuesday (1/9), following previous attacks on Sunday (30/8). US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the latest strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, radar, rocket launchers, and maritime assets.
Washington stated that Sunday’s strikes were aimed at rocket launchers on Larak Island to prevent Iran from deploying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.
US President Donald Trump warned Iran that retaliatory strikes would be even more severe. “They will be attacked again at a much harder and higher level,” Trump wrote on social media.
Iran claimed the US attacks killed civilians. Iranian state media reported that a house in Kuhestak, which was the site of a wedding celebration, was hit. The Deputy Governor of Hormozgan, Ahmad Nafisi, stated that five people, including a child, were killed and at least 68 others were injured.
CENTCOM stated it was aware of the reports but noted they originated from Iranian state media. CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins said, “The US military never targets civilians, unlike the IRGC.”
Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesperson Hossein Mohebi warned Washington that “severe punishment awaits the aggressors.” Meanwhile, Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that countries assisting the US would face a “harder, wider, and more devastating response.”
Trump refuses to force Iran back to the negotiating table
On Tuesday evening (1/9), Trump stated he had no intention of forcing Iran back to the negotiating table.
“I don’t care if they sign a deal that is meaningless to them. I much prefer our current position, with almost full control over the Strait of Hormuz and their economy completely collapsing,” Trump wrote.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Washington would continue to apply economic pressure. “We will continue to apply pressure,” he said during a G20 meeting in North Carolina.
However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian previously stated that Tehran remains open to diplomacy. On Tuesday, he said Iran was prepared to return to a temporary ceasefire agreement if the US also fulfilled its commitments.
“If the US returns to its commitments in the memorandum of understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately do the same,” said Pezeshkian.
A day earlier, Pezeshkian stated that continuing the war was not in the interest of Iran or the region. “The solution to the existing problems is dialogue and cooperation,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also called for the US to honour its commitments. “The solution is entirely clear and simple: the United States must return to its commitments,” he said.
Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint
The exchange of attacks occurs while both nations remain in dispute over control of the Strait of Malaysia. Iran maintains an effective closure of the shipping lane, while the US conducts a counter-blockade against Iranian ports.
Before the war, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passed through the strait. The recent conflict has driven up oil prices and increased pressure on global markets.
Crude oil prices have risen by approximately 7 per cent this week following the renewed clashes, while overall crude oil prices have increased by more than 50 per cent throughout the year. In the US, the average price for regular petrol reached $4.10 per gallon, compared to $3.19 during the same period last year.
Washington claims to have control over the Strait of Hormuz and stated last week that it had completed explosive clearance in the lane. Iran maintains that it controls the shipping route.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard previously claimed an oil tanker caught fire after hitting two mines while passing through what it termed an illegal route. The US military denied the claim as disinformation, stating, “No ship has hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Meanwhile, the Greek maritime risk management company Maersk reported that two crude oil tankers were hit by “unknown projectiles” on Monday night. The UK Maritime Trade Operations noted one of the incidents, stating that no casualties or environmental impacts were reported.