Iran and US issue conflicting claims over strategic waterway while strikes spread across Gulf region
TEHRAN: Fresh military exchanges between Iran and the United States intensified on Sunday, with attacks reported in southern Iran and Kuwait as both sides issued conflicting statements over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
Iranian state media reported that projectiles struck Qeshm and Farur islands, with one telecommunications worker killed and two others injured. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti authorities said attacks damaged three northern border posts and targeted an offshore oil platform, leaving one person injured.
Separately, Russian state broadcaster RT claimed Iranian missile strikes killed three US soldiers and destroyed an American missile system in Kuwait. However, US and Kuwaiti authorities had not officially confirmed those claims at the time of reporting.
The latest escalation followed another exchange of strikes after Iran targeted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities declared the strategic waterway closed until further notice, while the US Central Command insisted the passage remained open and commercial traffic continued under American protection.
Military exchanges widen across the Gulf
The US military said it responded by striking around 140 Iranian military targets, including locations in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask, Qeshm Island and Khuzestan province. Iranian media reported casualties, including the death of a soldier in Jask.
Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded across Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as Iran launched retaliatory attacks against regional locations hosting US military assets. Jordan also reported that three Iranian missiles landed inside its territory.
Diplomatic efforts continue despite renewed violence
Despite the escalating conflict, diplomatic efforts remain underway. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged de-escalation during a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, stressing that dialogue remains the only sustainable path toward peace.
Additionally, UN Secretary-General António Guterres renewed his call for restraint, urging all parties to halt military operations immediately and return to negotiations before the crisis further destabilises the Middle East.
