The United States launched new strikes on Iran overnight aimed at weakening its control over the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards responded on Thursday, announcing attacks on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Tehran insists it has the right to impose fees on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington rejects, and it threatens vessels that take a route other than the single lane it has designated along its coasts. On Tuesday, it targeted at least three commercial ships, according to the US military, as reported by Agence France-Presse.

US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social: 'This is retaliation for the strikes Iran launched against ships yesterday. If it happens again, it will be much worse!'

The US military said in a post on X that it struck about 90 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance facilities, and missile and drone storage sites on Iran's southern coast.

It explained that the goal of these strikes was 'to further undermine Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz.'

Iranian state media reported hearing explosions in the cities of Bandar Abbas (south), Konarak (east), and Chabahar (east).

In Bushehr (southwest), home to Iran's only civilian nuclear plant, a military base was bombed, according to a local official. A railway bridge in Golestan province in the north was also targeted, according to several media outlets.

In Khuzestan province (west), three people were killed and others injured in the US strikes, according to local authorities.

The US strikes also led to the suspension of the railway line between the capital Tehran and the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran, state television reported.

In response to these strikes, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced missile and drone attacks on the US bases of Arifjan and Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, and bases of Juffair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain. They also threatened to expand retaliation to other bases in the region if Washington carried out new strikes, according to a statement aired on state television.

In Kuwait, the army said it intercepted missiles and drones, while in Bahrain, several explosions were heard and air raid sirens were sounded twice.

In Qatar, residents also received a brief security alert.

Amid this major escalation, Iranian Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz will only open under 'Iranian arrangements.'

He added in a post on X: 'The United States has not yet learned that intimidation and breach of promises no longer go without consequences,' adding: 'I will be clear: if you strike, you will be struck.'

America has not yet learned that bullying and bad faith are no longer without cost. Let me be clear: hit, you get hit. Do not flail about uselessly, you will sink further. The Strait of Hormuz will only open with 'Iranian arrangements', not with American threats.

— Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) July 9, 2026

'Legitimate target'

Donald Trump had considered on Wednesday that the ceasefire agreement was no longer valid after the exchange of strikes. But he also stressed that the new confrontations would stop quickly, leaving the door open for continued diplomatic negotiations with Tehran.

He said Wednesday evening upon his return from the NATO summit in Turkey that the Iranians 'called a short while ago' and that they 'strongly want to reach an agreement.'

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While Trump did not provide further details, he questioned the viability of any potential agreement between the two sides, describing the Iranians as 'a bit crazy.'

Washington had responded to the attacks attributed to Tehran on three commercial ships with strikes inside Iran overnight Tuesday to Wednesday, according to the US military. Iranian state television reported the deaths of 8 Iranian military personnel. Tehran later responded by announcing strikes on facilities inside US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

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Both Qatar and Pakistan called for respect of the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 with their mediation, and for de-escalation.

The exchange of strikes led to a rise in oil prices on Wednesday, with Brent crude jumping more than 7%. The rise continued on Thursday in Asia by more than 1% to reach $78.85 per barrel.

On Tuesday, Washington reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil after they had been lifted under the memorandum of understanding.

This new escalation comes in conjunction with the funeral ceremony of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war, with burial ceremonies scheduled for Thursday in the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran.