The United States carried out a second round of airstrikes on Iran early Thursday after President Donald Trump said additional military action could follow if Tehran did not agree to a deal. Reports said the latest operation hit multiple Iranian cities and was broader than the previous day’s strikes.
Trump said Iran had taken too long in negotiations and had warned of possible attacks on infrastructure including power plants and bridges if no agreement was reached. Earlier reports said initial U.S. strikes followed the downing of a U.S. helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and targeted Iranian radar and air defense systems.
Iran responded with strikes aimed at Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace, Jordan said it intercepted 20 Iranian missiles headed toward an area with a U.S. base, and Bahrain said debris from interceptions injured an 11-year-old girl and damaged homes and cars.
Qatari negotiators traveled to Tehran on Wednesday after consultations with the United States as part of efforts to finalize a framework aimed at stopping the war, easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and allowing further talks, including over Iran’s nuclear material. The fighting came as negotiations remained unresolved, Iran continued pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, and oil prices rose. Reuters also reported that Trump said the U.S. military had escorted ships carrying more than 100 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, while Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Congress that higher oil shipments through the waterway in the previous week reflected military support for transit.