US and Iran swap strikes as ceasefire hangs by a thread
Key Points:
- The US conducted overnight strikes on approximately 20 sites in Iran, targeting military surveillance, communication, and air defense systems, following President Donald Trump's warning that Iran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations.
- In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile attacks on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as targeting Jordanian airspace, prompting warnings from the US Embassy in Jordan and temporary closure of Kuwaiti airspace.
- The conflict has resulted in civilian casualties, including the deaths of three Indian sailors killed in a US strike on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, leading India to summon a US diplomat to protest the incident.
- Iran claimed it has completely closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz to shipping, threatening to attack any vessels attempting passage, though the US military denied this, stating commercial traffic continues through the waterway.
- Germany expressed willingness to participate in a future naval mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities between the US and Iran end, while emphasizing commitment to diplomatic solutions amid ongoing tensions.