Iran retaliates after first US strikes in a month

Following six months of conflict, Iran and the United States remain at a stalemate, with Iran maintaining control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the US persisting with a naval counter-blockade. Last night, the US reported carrying out strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran claimed resulted in the deaths of two people.

In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on US military bases in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and an air base in the UAE. The US claimed to have shot down all but one of the missiles, while Iran reported two people killed and several wounded in the attack on Larak. President Masoud Pezeshkian called for dialogue, emphasizing that continuing the war is detrimental to both nations and the region.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to maintain economic pressure on Iran, with further reductions expected within weeks or months. Iran accused Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating the US into war, while the US military dismissed claims of a mine-hit oil tanker as disinformation.