US strikes Iran after revoking oil licence; Tehran hits Bahrain, Kuwait

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes early Wednesday, deepening tensions in the Middle East and raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

The escalation began after the US launched airstrikes on Iranian targets, hours after revoking a licence that had temporarily allowed Iran to export oil under an interim agreement.

US President Donald Trump later said the agreement with Tehran was effectively over, although he left the door open for further diplomacy.

"I think it‍‍`s over," Trump said, adding that talks could continue but expressing little optimism about their outcome.

According to the US Central Command, the operation targeted Iranian air defence systems, radar sites and more than 60 fast boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Washington said the strikes were carried out in response to attacks on commercial shipping in international waters.

Iran retaliated by launching strikes on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, triggering missile alerts in both Gulf states. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed responsibility for the attacks.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran would not yield to pressure, declaring that "the era of bullying and extortion is over."

The renewed fighting has heightened concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world‍‍`s busiest energy shipping routes, sending global oil prices higher.

Earlier in the day, Washington reinstated restrictions on Iranian oil exports by cancelling a temporary licence issued under the interim agreement.

The move followed attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including a tanker carrying Qatari natural gas that caught fire after being struck off the coast of Oman. Iran denied responsibility for the attack, while Qatar condemned the incident as a threat to international navigation and global energy security.

The latest confrontation comes as Iran continues funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of the conflict. His burial is scheduled for Thursday in the northeastern city of Mashhad.