⚓ U.S.-IRAN CONFLICT / STRAIT OF HORMUZ: The United States struck 10 Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz following a drone attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker M/T Kiku. U.S. Central Command said Navy and Air Force aircraft conducted precision strikes against Iranian ground installations and released targeting footage from the operation.
Iran responded overnight with missiles and drones targeting U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. The IRGC said it struck eight American facilities, including Ali Al-Salem Air Base and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters. Bahrain reported damage to a residential building without casualties, while Kuwait intercepted two ballistic missiles. U.S. officials reported no American casualties or significant damage to regional bases.
Iran described the attack as retaliation for recent U.S. strikes on coastal positions and warned that any future American action or reported ceasefire violations would receive a stronger response. Tehran also reiterated its position that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz falls exclusively under Iranian authority.
Iranian state media later claimed extensive damage to U.S. facilities and asserted that American strikes failed to destroy active missile storage sites. These claims have not been independently verified.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait would return to normal operations once current obstacles are removed and rejected any alternative maritime arrangements. Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia announced plans to expand domestic defense production while acquiring additional advanced weapons from allied countries.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated that American operations would continue if necessary to eliminate infrastructure used by Iran to control the Strait. Flight-tracking data also showed a substantial increase in U.S. military logistics flights into the region between June 18 and June 25, transporting interceptors, ordnance and other equipment.
🌍 REGIONAL DIPLOMACY: Iranian and Iraqi foreign ministers outlined implementation of recent understandings reached between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland.
Iraq said disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has significantly affected its oil exports, opposed further regional escalation and called for maritime restrictions on Iran to end.
Araghchi said the Strait should return to pre-war operating capacity within 30 days under exclusive Iranian management. He argued the reported memorandum requires a ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, said Washington bears responsibility for enforcing the agreement and supported Iraqi proposals for an eight-party regional security framework involving Iraq, Iran and GCC members.
Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned Iran's attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, reaffirmed support for both countries and called for de-escalation while stressing the importance of secure navigation through the Strait.
🚁 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS: An Aramco helicopter crashed in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, killing all 14 Saudi nationals aboard. Authorities have not yet announced a preliminary cause.
According to Haaretz, Israeli defense companies supplied military equipment to Saudi Arabia and Qatar despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. Reported exports included Elbit C-MUSIC aircraft protection systems, F-15 components, combat helmets and night-vision equipment delivered through Boeing contracts.
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