US launches ninth night of strikes on Iran as it hits out at Gulf neighbours

The United States began its ninth consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran on Sunday, July 20, escalating tensions in the Middle East as the conflict continues to strain regional stability. The attacks, launched by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted Iranian military assets believed to be responsible for attacks on commercial vessels and civilian mariners in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway, through which approximately a fifth of global oil supplies pass, has become a focal point of the ongoing conflict. The strikes come amid reports of heightened hostilities, with multiple countries in the Gulf region reporting intercepted drones, missiles, and air raids. The escalation followed a series of Iranian attacks on U.S. allies and infrastructure, prompting retaliatory measures from Washington. On Sunday, Iran claimed it had targeted two U.S. military bases in Kuwait using drones, striking an ammunition depot at Camp Udairi and damaging Patriot radar and air surveillance systems at the Ali Al Salem Air Base. In response, the U.S. launched strikes aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities, particularly those linked to attacks on Jordan and other allied nations. Two American service members were killed in Jordan during Iranian missile and drone attacks on Friday, while another died in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone. One service member remains missing in action. The violence has intensified since the outbreak of the war on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets. Iran has since retaliated by attacking U.S. allies and military installations in the region, including an under-construction nuclear power plant in the south-west of the country. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran condemned the U.S. strike, calling it an "aggressive and brutal act contrary to international law." Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards accused the U.S. of supporting "terrorists" and interfering in regional affairs, claiming that the attacks on the Strait of Hormuz were part of a broader campaign to destabilize the area. In Jordan, air raid sirens were activated as the U.S. military reported defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. The Israeli military joined forces with Jordanian authorities to intercept an Iranian missile aimed at the port city of Aqaba. The U.S. embassy in Amman had previously issued warnings about a specific threat targeting Aqaba’s port and airport. Similarly, Kuwaiti air defenses engaged hostile drone attacks, with officials attributing explosions to the interception of these threats. Bahrain’s interior ministry also reported that air raid sirens had sounded, urging citizens to seek shelter. Control over the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a pivotal issue in the conflict, with Iran effectively blockading the waterway after the war began. The strait’s strategic importance lies in its role as a major conduit for global oil and gas exports. On Sunday, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated that four ships attempting to transit the strait had been intercepted, with two reportedly stopping due to accidents and the other two abandoning their journeys. The Guards blamed the incidents on "American terrorists" allegedly providing support to the violators. This move underscores how the strait has become a bargaining chip in diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington, with both sides vying for influence over the region’s energy lifelines. Despite efforts by mediators to revive stalled peace talks, hopes for a political resolution have waned. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to deliver an "unforgettable lesson" to the United States, echoing sentiments from senior military figures such as Major General Mohsen Rezaei, who warned of resuming "full-scale offensive operations" if tensions continue. The situation remains volatile, with both sides demonstrating a willingness to escalate hostilities rather than pursue dialogue. As the conflict drags on, the impact on regional security, economic stability, and international diplomacy grows increasingly dire.