The United States and Iran engaged in a series of escalating attacks across the Middle East on July 9 and 10, raising concerns over the viability of a fragile ceasefire aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between the two countries. The renewed hostilities involved air strikes by the U.S. on Iranian targets, and Iranian missile and drone launches targeting U.S. allies in the Gulf region.
U.S. military forces conducted air strikes against approximately 90 targets in Iran, including missile launchers, air defense systems, coastal surveillance sites, and what officials identified as infrastructure that threatened freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. These strikes primarily hit locations in southern and eastern provinces, including Bushehr, home to Iran’s nuclear power plant, as well as other sites such as bridges used for trade with Russia and China. The U.S. Central Command released footage showing attacks on an airport runway and missile storage sites. Iranian state media reported at least 14 fatalities and 78 injuries due to the U.S. attacks.
Responding to the strikes, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched a series of missile and drone attacks against U.S. military installations and allied countries in the region. Sirens were sounded multiple times in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan, with reports of intercepted ballistic missiles and drones. Kuwait’s military reported shooting down three ballistic missiles, a cruise missile, and 10 drones, with one person injured by falling debris. Jordanian authorities confirmed interception of Iranian missile attacks targeting the Azraq military base, where U.S. forces are stationed, as well as a U.S. military control center in the Middle East. Bahrain also reported successfully intercepting incoming fire, though details were limited. Qatar condemned attacks on commercial shipping but urged a return to diplomatic efforts.
The confrontations occurred in the context of the funeral for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial air strikes that ignited the current conflict on February 28. Tens of thousands gathered in Mashhad and other cities to honor Khamenei, with some demonstrators expressing hostility towards U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Trump declared the ceasefire “over” following recent Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, although he expressed willingness to allow negotiations to continue. U.S. officials emphasized the strikes were intended to maintain safe passage through the strait, a critical route for global oil and gas shipments. Maritime data indicated partial recovery of ship transit numbers through the strait, with about 576 vessels passing in June compared to 233 in May, although this remains below prewar levels.
Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have engaged in regional diplomatic consultations, speaking with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Oman, and Pakistan in an apparent effort to de-escalate tensions. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that further American attacks would be met with retaliation.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides advancing military actions while diplomatic channels continue in parallel, raising uncertainty over the potential for renewed wider conflict in the region.