Iran claims retaliatory strikes on US bases as conflict enters 104th day
Tensions escalate with conflicting claims over the Strait of Hormuz and stalled diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
The conflict between Iran and the United States has entered its 104th day, marked by a significant escalation following US Central Command (CENTCOM) airstrikes on targets within Iran, including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik. CENTCOM described these operations as acts of self-defence against "unwarranted and continued aggression." In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed retaliatory strikes against US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Tensions have further intensified over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran declaring the waterway "completely closed" to all traffic, a claim directly contradicted by CENTCOM, which confirmed that commercial vessels continue to transit. Diplomatic efforts have stalled, with US President Donald Trump accusing Iran of delaying negotiations and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warning of further strikes on key facilities.
The IRGC’s assertion of strikes on bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan represents a direct challenge to US military presence in the region. These claims follow the CENTCOM announcement of strikes on multiple targets inside Iran, which were characterised as self-defence measures. The timing of these operations coincides with heightened rhetoric from US leadership regarding the failure of Iran to reach a negotiated agreement.
US President Donald Trump had previously warned of imminent military action, stating that Iran had taken "too long to negotiate a deal that would have been great for them; now they will have to pay the price." This statement preceded the CENTCOM operations, which targeted sites on Qeshm Island and in the cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik.
The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint. While the IRGC declared the waterway closed to all vessel traffic, including commercial and oil tankers, CENTCOM has maintained that commercial ships continue to transit. This contradiction highlights the ongoing information war surrounding the conflict, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of operational realities on the ground and at sea.
The escalation underscores the fragility of the current diplomatic landscape. With political rhetoric hardening on both sides, the risk of further military confrontation remains high. The lack of independent verification of the IRGC’s claims regarding the strikes in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan adds to the uncertainty surrounding the immediate impact of these operations.
As the conflict continues, the focus remains on the potential for further de-escalation or additional military engagements. The stalled negotiations and mutual accusations of aggression suggest that a resolution remains distant, with both nations prepared to sustain their respective military and diplomatic postures.
