By Washington/Tehran — Iran and the United States exchanged strikes in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz region on Wednesday night and early Thursday, escalating tensions after President Donald Trump rejected reports of a draft agreement aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched retaliatory strikes targeting a US military base following American attacks on an Iranian site near the port city of Bandar Abbas. The IRGC described the US facility as one actively used by American forces in the area and warned of even stronger responses if aggression continued.
The US strikes, ordered under Trump’s direction, reportedly hit an Iranian naval base and airport near the Strait of Hormuz. A US official described the operation as a necessary measure to neutralise threats to American troops and commercial shipping in the critical waterway, which handles a significant portion of global oil transit.
Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump made clear his dissatisfaction with the pace of negotiations. “Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal,” he said. “So far they haven’t gotten there… we’re not satisfied with it, but we will be. We will be either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
The White House has strongly denied reports of any draft agreement with Tehran, calling them “complete fabrication.”
The latest round of tit-for-tat attacks comes despite a supposed fragile ceasefire, highlighting the precarious state of diplomatic efforts. Kuwait’s military reported intercepting hostile missiles and drones on Thursday, though it stopped short of identifying the source.
Trump has downplayed concerns about the political impact of the Iran situation, reportedly stating he “doesn’t care” about upcoming midterm elections when questioned about the negotiations.
Both nations have characterised their actions as defensive. Washington insists its operations are limited and aimed at protecting regional stability, while Tehran views the US strikes as provocative violations that justify retaliation.
The exchanges have raised fears of broader regional instability, with potential ripple effects on global energy markets. Diplomatic channels remain active, but the rapid sequence of military actions suggests the path to any lasting agreement remains uncertain.
