Iran's president has declared the country is engaged in a "full-scale war" after the United States intensified its aerial campaign, striking targets near key infrastructure including nuclear facilities and underground missile bases. In retaliation, Tehran launched attacks against US Gulf allies, even as diplomatic channels remain open for de-escalation.
US strikes target military sites near nuclear plant and missile bases
Iranian media reported strikes around Tabriz, believed to house underground missile bases, and Bushehr, home to Iran's only operational civilian nuclear power plant. The US military stated it had struck "military command centers, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and communications networks."
Iran launched attacks against Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, and Kuwait, in addition to striking tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Before the conflict, the strait carried a fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Bahrain reported damage to its air traffic systems but said traffic was unaffected.
Houthis blockade Saudi ports
The Iran-allied Houthi movement in Yemen announced a blockade of Saudi ports, potentially straining global energy markets as Saudi Arabia used Red Sea routes to export oil and bypass Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis said the blockade was a response to Riyadh's targeting of Sana'a airport, which was bombed by the Saudi-backed Yemen government.
"The reality is that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war," said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a statement on Monday, warning that Iran might have to endure more strikes.
Diplomatic efforts continue despite escalation
The tit-for-tat attacks come despite an interim peace deal agreed last month. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) to halt attacks and open the strait is more than halfway through a 60-day implementation period intended to allow diplomacy. Shipping in the strait has slowed to a trickle, and oil prices rose above $90 a barrel, exacerbating the global energy crisis.
An Iranian official told Reuters that mediators presented Iran with a proposal for a 10-day ceasefire to revive the MoU. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said at a press conference: "We have been informed by mediators, we have received messages – without going into details – but the main point is that the diplomatic apparatus has been active in recent days and ideas have been conveyed to us by certain mediators."
US open to negotiations but continues strikes
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US remains open to negotiations with Iran, but "it has to be real." He added, "We're going to continue to respond. If the door opens to diplomacy – if the guys that want to do something productive for Iran win and take control of that system, or take control of the negotiations – that'll be a very positive development."
Mediators including Qatar and Pakistan continue to speak to both sides in an attempt to bring them back to the negotiating table.
US casualties and Iranian deaths
The US military reported a service member was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance on a downed Iranian attack drone. This was the third US death in recent days, after two service members were killed in an Iranian attack on a Jordanian airbase on Friday, with a third missing in action. Since the war began, 17 US service members have been killed. Iran's health ministry said on Friday that 50 people had been killed and more than 500 injured in the current round of fighting.
President Donald Trump said, "We hit them very hard again tonight," as he returned to Washington after the World Cup final, adding: "We did that in honour of the, probably three, it's probably three great patriots."
Strait of Hormuz incidents and IRGC claims
Early Monday, a ship caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman's coastline in the southern corridor the US military has encouraged ships to use to avoid Iran's control. The crew safely abandoned the vessel, and it was recovered by a tug boat, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed two oil tankers were blown up after attempting to transit via the southern route, but there was no independent confirmation.
The IRGC also claimed a "surprise attack" on an enemy command centre in the al-Tanf region of Syria, as reported by state news agency IRNA.
Israel warns of spillover
After Iran targeted sites in Jordan on Sunday, Israel warned of the danger of strikes spilling across its borders. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday: "If Iran fires missiles at Israel, we will attack them with full force." The US is expected to send dozens of additional refuelling planes to Israel as part of a reinforcement of its force posture in the region, a US official told Reuters.
US strategy defended
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the administration's strategy, saying the mission shifted toward ensuring oil shipments could move through the strait. "We did a pause to try to get an agreement with the Iranian people to allow oil to flow without them attacking it. They've proven unwilling to do that, and we've pivoted. Now what we're doing is assuring that that oil and gas and other products can flow through the Strait of Hormuz with or without Iranian cooperation."
Lebanon pilot zone begins
The US also announced the start of the "pilot zone" scheme in three villages in southern Lebanon, following peace talks in Rome between Lebanon and Israel. Under the programme, Israel will withdraw soldiers from areas it occupies in south Lebanon, replaced by the Lebanese army, which will dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. US State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott confirmed the scheme began in the villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya.
