The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is once again under severe strain after both sides exchanged fresh military strikes over the weekend, raising fears of renewed disruption to global oil supplies through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said it carried out a second round of airstrikes on Saturday, targeting Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communication systems, air defence sites, drone storage facilities and naval minelaying capabilities. Washington described the operation as a direct response to continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the US military, the latest strikes followed an Iranian drone attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker Kiku, which was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil through the waterway. A day earlier, the US had struck Iranian missile and drone sites after another Iranian drone attack on the cargo vessel Ever Lovely.
Iran has not acknowledged responsibility for the tanker attack but condemned the US operations as violations of the ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month.
In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched drones and ballistic missiles targeting eight US military installations, including a naval base in Bahrain and the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Authorities in both Bahrain and Kuwait confirmed air defence systems had been activated against missile and drone threats, although neither country officially identified the source of the attacks.
US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could intensify its military campaign if Iran continued its actions. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said there could come a time when the US would "no longer be able to be reasonable" and would be forced to complete its military mission, warning that the Islamic Republic itself could cease to exist.
The latest exchange has cast fresh uncertainty over diplomatic efforts aimed at ending months of conflict. Washington and Tehran have been negotiating a broader agreement covering Iran's nuclear programme, shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz and regional stability. Analysts believe both sides are testing each other's limits, although neither appears eager to return to a full-scale war.
The renewed hostilities also threaten the security of one of the world's busiest energy corridors. Although oil prices eased on Friday after earlier gains, markets are expected to closely monitor developments when trading resumes, as any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could reignite volatility in global crude prices and energy markets.