Overview
- U.S. Central Command said it carried out extensive airstrikes on dozens of IRGC and Iranian military sites in southern Iran in the latest wave of attacks.
- Iran and the IRGC claimed drone strikes on U.S. facilities at Kuwait’s Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base and Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base, while Kuwait reported intercepting hostile drones and only material damage from falling debris.
- Iran asserted it hit two tankers and said transit through the Strait of Hormuz was not possible, a claim CENTCOM publicly disputed by saying the strait remains open for commercial transit.
- The fighting has spread geographically, with U.S. and Saudi strikes on Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, Houthi threats to Bab el-Mandeb and reported attacks on ships in the Mediterranean and Red Sea that have cut commercial transits.
- Saudi Arabia announced a 14-country maritime defence coalition to protect shipping lanes, and many U.S. partners say they will withhold combat participation until there is a clear ceasefire or guarantees for freedom of navigation.