Military tensions in the Gulf intensified on Tuesday after the United States carried out another round of strikes on Iranian targets, while Iran claimed it launched retaliatory attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. The latest escalation also prompted Bahrain to activate air raid sirens.
According to Iranian state media, the fresh US operation targeted several locations across the country, including Nain city in Isfahan province, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and the islands of Kish, Jam and Qeshm.
The siren has been sounded .. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) July 14, 2026
CENTCOM details latest military operation
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it completed the latest wave of strikes at 10:15 pm ET on July 13 (7:45 am IST on July 14).
Also Read | Iran strikes UAE oil tankers in Hormuz, one Indian dead and eight injured
The operation lasted around five hours and focused on military infrastructure in Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa and Bandar Abbas. According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted Iran’s coastal defence systems, missile and drone sites, along with maritime capabilities aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.
CENTCOM also said that more than 50,000 US service members are currently deployed across the Gulf and that American forces remain “vigilant, lethal, and ready”.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
Iran claims fresh retaliation
Iran responded by announcing new attacks against US military assets in the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it carried out missile and drone strikes on the US military base at Al Juffair in Bahrain.
In a statement, the IRGC said it targeted “several weapons storage depots, a satellite communications center, and a building housing US forces” as part of the second phase of its retaliation campaign.
It added that the operation, codenamed “Nasr 2”, was ongoing.
Iran also said its forces targeted US military bases in Kuwait and struck a “hostile vessel of the American enemy”.
Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre
The military exchanges come as the United States tightens its posture in the Gulf. US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would establish a blockade on Iranian ports, secure the Strait of Hormuz and introduce a 20 per cent transit fee on vessels using the strategic waterway.
Also Read | Ukraine PM Yuliia Svyrydenko resigns, parliament set to begin government overhaul
The latest developments mark another sharp escalation in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran, with both sides continuing military operations across the Gulf region as tensions remain high.
FAQs:
Why did Bahrain sound air raid sirens?
The sirens were activated as regional tensions escalated following fresh US strikes on Iran and Iran’s claimed retaliation.
What did Iran claim after the latest US strikes?
Iran said it launched missile and drone attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and targeted a US base in Kuwait.
