US launches second day of strikes on Iran , Iran fires back at Gulf states and Jordan

What Happened

The United States launched a second day of airstrikes on Iran early Thursday, with U.S. Central Command saying it targeted Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites in response to 'Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression.' Explosions were heard in Tehran, the port city of Bandar Abbas, and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz; Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the strikes hit a manufacturing complex, a military barracks, and a local Guard base outside Tehran. In retaliation, Iran fired missiles at Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan for a second consecutive day. Bahrain's Interior Ministry reported an 11-year-old girl injured and damage from falling debris due to interceptions; Kuwait closed its airspace; and the U.S. Embassy in Amman warned of the attack, though Jordan did not officially acknowledge it. U.S. President Donald Trump separately claimed a 'secret mission' had moved over 100 million barrels of oil past the Strait of Hormuz by destroying Iranian radar, but this figure was not confirmed.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The exchange marks the third round of strikes in a week, deepening the multi-front conflict and testing a shaky ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz disruption has global economic implications, with oil prices surging above $93 a barrel. Trump's push for a quick deal ahead of midterms collides with Iran's nuclear demands and Netanyahu's maximalist war aims, making a negotiated settlement difficult.

Watch For

Monitor whether Iran continues strikes on Gulf states, the scope of Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon, and the status of Qatari-mediated talks. Verify Trump's claim of a covert oil shipment mission; any escalation could further rattle energy markets. IAEA inspections will be scrutinized for Iran's enrichment progress, and U.S. domestic political pressure could accelerate or derail diplomacy.