US and Iran exchange attacks as ceasefire lapses

The US launched strikes on Iran overnight Thursday after President Donald Trump said the Islamic republic would “pay a price” for stalled peace talks.

Iran has responded with attacks on regional neighbors.

Here are details of recent events:

• US CENTCOM said it struck new targets in Iran overnight into Thursday in response to Tehran’s “continued aggression”.
• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in response
• Kuwait temporarily closes its airspace due to latest Iranian attacks
• US Embassy in Jordan issues “shelter in place” warning amid reports of missiles in Jordanian airspace
• UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for de-escalation as the US and Iran continue to carry out attacks.

The US Embassy in Jordan said in a statement on its website that “Reports indicate that missiles, drones or rockets are in Jordanian airspace. Immediately seek overhead cover and shelter. Stay indoors and pay attention to local announcements and alerts.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it targeted key military facilities at Jordan’s al-Azraq air base with 12 ballistic missiles.

Al-Azraq base hosts US troops and aircraft.

Kuwait has temporarily closed its airspace due to the Iranian attacks.

The flights have been separated.

Earlier, the Kuwait Army had said that its air defense systems were attacking hostile air targets. Iran had said that it was targeting US military facilities in Kuwait.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry again said that sirens are sounding in the Gulf Arab country.

“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place,” the ministry reiterated.

Kuwait also said its air defense systems were responding to the fresh attacks.

Iran had earlier said it was targeting US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it attacked US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to the latest round of US attacks on Iranian territory.

“During two waves of operations, eighteen key US military targets at Ali Al Salem and Ahmed Al Jaber air bases in Kuwait were targeted,” the IRGC said.

The Iranian military also said it attacked “Sheikh Isa Air Base” in Bahrain.

It is unclear how much damage the latest Iranian attacks have caused.

The US military says its latest round of “self-defense” strikes on Iran has been “completed.”

“CENTCOM forces have launched strikes against Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communications systems, and air defense sites throughout Iran. U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions at Iranian targets, posing a threat to U.S. forces and international commercial vessels transiting territorial waters,” the Army Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on Twitter.

“These strikes are in response to Iran’s unjustified and continued aggression,” the statement said. “U.S. forces remain alert, lethal, and ready.”

Join our coverage of the current Middle East conflict as renewed attacks by the US and Iran appear to threaten a return to full-scale war after a brief respite from the April 8 ceasefire.

The increase in hostilities has dashed hopes that the war, which began with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, will soon end.

Several of Iran’s regional neighbors that host US bases have also been targeted by Tehran in response to the latest wave of US attacks.

Meanwhile, both Iran and the US have given conflicting claims over the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran claiming the vital global transportation route for oil and gas is closed, while the US military said commercial traffic is flowing through the strait.

We invite you to read here to stay informed about the latest developments in a conflict that impacts the entire world.