WEB DESK: Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again on Wednesday after a US military strike targeted a vessel near Iran’s Qeshm Island, prompting retaliatory action by Tehran against American interests in the Gulf.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Botswana-registered oil tanker M/T Lexie ignored repeated warnings while attempting to travel toward an Iranian port in breach of a US-imposed maritime blockade. After monitoring the vessel for nearly 24 hours, US forces disabled it by firing a Hellfire missile into its engine compartment.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned the action, describing it as an attack on infrastructure near Qeshm Island. In response, Iranian forces launched missile and drone strikes against US-linked military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Iranian media reported that the IRGC targeted the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet as well as an airbase and military helicopters located in a Gulf state. However, US officials said the attacks were unsuccessful, with most missiles intercepted, falling short of their targets, or malfunctioning during flight.
CENTCOM stated that two missiles fired toward Kuwait either failed mid-air or landed before reaching their destination, while three missiles aimed at Bahrain were intercepted. Several other projectiles targeting regional facilities also reportedly failed to hit their objectives.
Since hostilities began in late February, Iran has repeatedly targeted locations across the Gulf that host US military personnel. The US military maintained that its forces remain prepared to counter any further attacks.
The latest exchange comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict. Although Washington and Tehran announced last week that they had reached a preliminary understanding to stop the fighting, no formal agreement has yet been finalized.
Iranian media claimed communication between the two countries has stalled in recent days. Nevertheless, US President Donald Trump insisted that contacts remain active, saying discussions have continued almost daily.
The conflict, which erupted following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, while also disrupting global energy markets and driving up oil prices.
Meanwhile, violence has continued on another front as Israel carried out fresh strikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. Lebanese security officials reported attacks on several towns despite a partial ceasefire brokered by the United States earlier this week.
The ongoing instability has deepened humanitarian concerns in Lebanon, where approximately 1.2 million people have been displaced. Residents of Beirut also reported heightened anxiety as Israeli drones continued to operate over the capital.
