Iran targets US allies in Gulf after overnight attacks, and other Mideast news

Iran has been attacking the United States' allies in the Gulf for two nights in a row, launching drones at Kuwait and Bahrain. This came after a Wednesday U.S. airstrike on Iran. Reports indicate that one of the U.S. strikes on Iran on Wednesday may have targeted a wedding party in Kuwait, resulting in at least four deaths and numerous injuries.

Iran's state media claimed the U.S. attack also hit a home hosting a wedding in Kuhestak, a coastal town in Iran, killing four people and injuring at least 68. In response, the U.S. military said its strikes targeted Iranian military installations, including air defenses and maritime assets. Bahrain reported intercepting several Iranian air attacks early Wednesday, though details were not provided.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the country acted in self-defense in retaliation for U.S. violations of Iran's sovereignty. In other news, a Philippine official reported that two Filipino crewmembers were killed when a Saudi oil tanker, under attack, caught fire while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil trade, which has been affected by recent tensions.

The Strait's narrowness has led to a significant slowdown in ship traffic, impacting global energy markets and prices. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that multiple officials within the Trump administration are reaching out to other nations to discourage any support for Iran, emphasizing the urgency of ending the conflict through isolation of the regime.

Diplomats from Egypt and Qatar have also urged the U.S. and Iran to resume negotiations, warning of dire regional consequences. Iran's currency market experienced a record low following the exchange of fire with the U.S., reflecting heightened global concerns over the situation.