The United States and Iran exchanged fresh waves of missile strikes today, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and dimming hopes for a quick resolution. After a brief lull in hostilities, the renewed attacks have heightened concerns that the fighting could draw in more countries.
Jordan said it intercepted five Iranian missiles for the second consecutive day. Kuwait reported that an Iranian strike hit a building belonging to a Chinese company in the country’s north, killing one person and causing extensive damage. Earlier this week, drone attacks sparked fires on ships at an Egyptian port, while Saudi Arabia said it had come under attack from Iran-backed militias in Iraq.
The latest escalation follows a major wave of US strikes on Iran, launched in response to an earlier Iranian missile attack on a US military base in Jordan. US Central Command said it targeted dozens of Revolutionary Guard sites, including military command centres, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance and defence installations. Iranian state media said three people were killed and two others injured in a strike on Qeshm Island.
The latest exchange comes a day after the United States, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, carried out strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, reportedly killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian military advisers.
