US strikes Iran for a third night as Tehran retaliates against Bahrain, Jordan, and UAE tankers in the Strait of Hormuz

US completes third wave of strikes on Iran

For the third consecutive night, US forces conducted a five-hour operation striking military targets across six Iranian cities. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation hit Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas. The strikes used precision munitions against coastal defence systems, missile and drone bases, and maritime capabilities. The goal, according to CENTCOM, was to further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping.

During the five-hour mission, US forces successfully struck military targets across the country, including Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas, to further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels.

At least four explosions were heard near Bandar Abbas, a port city on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state news agency Irna. President Donald Trump had previewed the action in a radio interview, declaring the US would "hit them hard tonight and hit them hard tomorrow," adding that Iranian leaders "can do absolutely nothing about" the strikes.

Iran retaliates with 'Nasr 2' operation

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded with a coordinated counterstrike named Operation "Nasr 2," executed by its naval and aerospace forces. The operation targeted the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, claiming to have set fuel depots on fire and destroyed a Patriot air-defence radar, an early-warning radar system, and a C-RAM radar designed to intercept incoming rockets. The IRGC also said it destroyed a command-and-control centre used for monitoring and coordinating unmanned guided vessels.

The siren has been triggered... Citizens and residents are urged to keep calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Bahrain's Interior Ministry activated sirens three times in recent hours, directing the population to shelters. The kingdom said it intercepted several of the attacks and accused Iran of targeting civilians after explosions were heard in the capital, Manama. The IRGC additionally struck what it described as a building housing US troops at the Juffair base.

Jordan intercepts missiles; IRGC urges base closures

Jordan's state-run Petra News agency reported that the country intercepted and downed four missiles that had violated Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory early Tuesday. An anonymous military source told Petra that defence teams "collected missile debris from several locations, taking all necessary precautions to protect the areas and ensure public safety." No casualties were recorded. The IRGC announced it had launched ballistic missiles at positions hosting US forces at a Jordanian airbase, which Iran claims was used to stage attacks against it. In a statement addressed to the Jordanian people, the IRGC insisted Iran holds no hostile intentions toward Jordan, while simultaneously demanding the withdrawal of US forces and the closure of American bases across the region.

Tankers struck in the Strait of Hormuz

Two UAE-associated tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz near the coast of Oman were hit by Iranian missiles. The attack killed one Indian crew member and wounded eight others. The UAE warned it reserves the right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens, and residents. India's foreign ministry said it was lodging a strong protest with Iran and summoned its deputy ambassador.

Naval blockade and toll controversy

In parallel with the military action, Trump announced on Truth Social that the US would take control of the Strait of Hormuz and charge ships a toll of up to 20% of cargo value for safe passage, a reversal of the longstanding US position that no country may impose fees on the international waterway under freedom-of-navigation rules. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports is scheduled to take effect Tuesday at 20:00 GMT, according to the US military. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mocked Trump's toll proposal on X, writing that "Iran has always been the guardian of the Strait," and suggesting that a 20% charge "is, obviously, too much."

Ceasefire efforts stall

The renewed hostilities come almost halfway through a 60-day period set out by a memorandum of understanding that was supposed to provide room for negotiations toward a final truce. The two sides have made little progress on key matters including the strait, Iran's disputed nuclear programme, and regional issues. US attacks on Iran have killed at least 28 people since last week, according to an Agence France-Presse tally. Despite the violence, Trump told reporters at the White House that a deal with Iran remains "possible."