The United States launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran early Thursday morning, June 11, after President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations. In response, Iran launched strikes targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Escalation of Hostilities
The new American assault across multiple Iranian cities came as efforts to negotiate an end to the war appeared stuck. Iran insisted it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher. The American attack appeared more intense and wider than the previous day, but Iran released no information about what was hit.
Kuwait closed its airspace because of the Thursday morning attack, without elaborating on any damage. Jordan did not acknowledge the attack, though the U.S. Embassy in Amman warned about it. Bahrain sounded its missile alert sirens without mentioning possible damage.
Ceasefire Tested
The third back-and-forth round of strikes this week has tested a two-month shaky ceasefire. The first attacks occurred between Iran and Israel on Sunday into Monday, followed by two rounds of fire between America and Tehran.
Trump has urged Iran to sign a deal to end the war and suggested earlier this week that an agreement could be reached in days. However, Iran has proved resilient despite weeks of heavy bombing, betting that its ability to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz gives it a strong bargaining chip.
Looking for a Way Out
Both countries appear to be seeking a way to end the conflict, if they can manage to sell it as a win at home. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems intent on pursuing goals that make compromise harder: the collapse of Iran's theocratic government, the elimination of its nuclear program, and the destruction of the Iranian-allied Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
Military Details
The U.S. Central Command said its latest round of airstrikes ended just before sunrise Thursday in Iran. The strikes came "in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression" and targeted "Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defense sites." The command did not elaborate on the damage, noting the strikes were carried out by the U.S. Air Force, Marines, and Navy.
Explosions from the strikes echoed around Iran's capital, Tehran, as well as the port city of Bandar Abbas and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan for a second day. Israel early Thursday also warned residents in the north to seek shelter after the detection of suspected incoming fire from Lebanon.
