Nearly two weeks after the signing of a framework agreement, the conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated once again. However, despite renewed exchanges of attacks from both sides, peace talks are reportedly expected to continue.
The US–Iran conflict recently intensified through mutual strikes. After US airstrikes on targets along Iran’s southern coast, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched missiles and drones at American military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that its navy and air forces carried out a combined missile and drone operation, claiming to have destroyed eight US military infrastructure sites. These reportedly included targets at the US airbase Ali Al-Salem in Kuwait and the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base in Mina Salman, Bahrain.
Bahrain confirmed an Iranian drone and missile attack, calling it a “dangerous escalation.” Kuwait’s military said its air defenses were responding overnight to hostile missile and drone attacks.
During the early hours of Sunday, US armed forces carried out a second wave of strikes against Iran since the signing of the framework agreement. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), several targets were hit, including air defense positions, drone depots, and surveillance infrastructure.
The US described the strikes as a response to an attack on a commercial tanker.
Iran and the United States have accused each other of violating the temporary ceasefire. CENTCOM said the US strikes were a direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.
On Saturday, a Panama-flagged oil tanker was reportedly struck by an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz. US strikes targeted Iranian military surveillance systems, communications infrastructure, air defense assets, drone storage facilities, and mine deployment sites.
US President Donald Trump warned on social media that Washington could be forced to escalate militarily. “If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist,” he wrote.
Tehran said the US strikes violated the agreement to end the conflict, which began four months ago with US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The Revolutionary Guard warned that the strikes could lead to a complete breakdown of diplomatic processes and threatened further retaliation against US bases in the region.
Despite the escalation, Washington said negotiations have not been cancelled. According to media reports citing government officials, talks are expected to continue on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar.
