DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The United States launched an attack on Iran early Sunday in retaliation for an Iranian strike on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. This incident resulted in the container ship being set ablaze, forcing its crew to abandon it. Following the U.S. strikes, Iran is reported to have targeted Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a critical issue in ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States aimed at resolving the conflict that began on February 28, 2026. Prior to the commencement of hostilities, approximately one-fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed through this strategic waterway. Iran's control over the strait during the conflict has contributed to a global energy crisis, although oil prices have since decreased from wartime highs of $120 a barrel.
The U.S. Central Command stated that its military strikes targeted around 140 Iranian sites, significantly more than prior operations. The objectives included missile and drone launch locations, ammunition depots, and communications equipment, aiming to degrade Iran’s capacity to attack civilian ships and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
This escalation occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that an interim deal regarding the Iran conflict was effectively over. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commented on the situation, stating, “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.” In response, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament and a key negotiator, declared on social media that “The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” insisting that Iran would demand accountability for its interests.
Amid these heightened tensions, the United Arab Emirates alerted its citizens to an impending missile and drone attack. Explosions were reported in nearby Qatar, which claimed to have intercepted the incoming fire from Iran. Bahrain also experienced missile alerts, while Kuwait's military reported engaging with incoming threats. There were no immediate reports clarifying which areas of the UAE were targeted, although previous attacks had occurred in May.
In the initial Iranian attack on the container ship, which was flagged in Cyprus, significant damage was reported to the engine room, and a civilian crew member remains unaccounted for. Reports indicate that the vessel was navigating a route close to Oman to avoid Iranian territorial waters when it was struck. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that several ships ignored warnings and were subsequently targeted by warning shots.
Following recent attacks, Iran has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed “until further notice” and has threatened to target additional “enemy bases” in the region if further aggression occurs. Iranian state media reported on U.S. strikes across various southern provinces, including Bushehr, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, and Sistan and Baluchestan, without providing details on casualties or damage.
The flare-up in violence followed talks between the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the discussions, Iran refrained from stating that the strait would be accessible to all vessels, a demand from the Trump administration.
In a significant declaration, Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, condemned the killing of his predecessor and vowed retaliation, stating that this desire is a national priority. Meanwhile, U.S. officials indicated that recent strikes were the result of a faction of Iranian hard-liners aiming to undermine any potential ceasefire, despite Iran's insistence on the unity of its leadership under the new supreme leader.
As the conflict persists, the potential for further military engagements continues to loom, with regional players and foreign powers navigating a complicated landscape of alliances and hostilities.
