Iran struck US-linked military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan on Wednesday, according to reports and official statements, after the United States launched attacks on Iranian sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest exchange has put fresh strain on a fragile April ceasefire and raised concern across the Gulf. It also comes as global attention turns to the World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting and Iran is due to attend.

Iran strikes US bases after US attacks near Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched drone and missile attacks on US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, according to Al Jazeera and the supplied IOL report. The attacks followed US strikes on Iranian air defence, ground control and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command said earlier this month that American forces had intercepted Iranian missiles and drones aimed at Gulf targets. CENTCOM also said it had struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to protect regional maritime traffic.

Jordan’s military said its air defences intercepted and destroyed five missiles launched from Iran toward the Azraq region in Zarqa Governorate. The Jordanian statement, carried by Petra and WAM, said falling debris caused no casualties or material damage.

Bahrain and Kuwait also reported air defence activity after the Iranian attacks. However, there was no independently verified confirmation of major damage to US facilities in those countries by the time of publication.

Fragile ceasefire faces renewed pressure

The flare-up followed the downing of a US Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. The supplied IOL report said the two crew members were rescued after the aircraft went down near Oman.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran would not leave any attack unanswered. Iran’s foreign ministry also said countries in the region had a responsibility to prevent the US and Israel from using their territory for hostile action against Iran.

The renewed fighting complicates efforts to secure a lasting settlement to the wider Middle East war. US President Donald Trump had said talks were in their final stages, but the latest military exchange has cast doubt on that timeline.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key concern because of its role in global fuel shipments. Oil prices rose on Wednesday as hopes for a quick deal faded, according to the supplied IOL report.

Responses and reactions

Russia and China called for restraint after the latest US-Iran exchange. The supplied IOL report quoted Russia’s foreign ministry as saying it was “extremely concerned” about the confrontation and urged both sides to avoid further escalation.

China’s foreign ministry also called on the parties to stop intensifying the conflict and take steps to cool tensions. Saudi Arabia later condemned Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, according to Iran International.

Fighting linked to the wider conflict also continued in Lebanon. Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, including around Tyre, killed civilians this week, according to the supplied IOL report and international reporting.