The United States and Iran traded strikes on Thursday for a second day as tensions escalated over the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes and has become a flashpoint in the Middle East conflict.

The latest fighting followed attacks between the two countries on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was “over”, but left open the possibility of further talks.

He said any US strikes would end quickly.

US Central Command said the latest strikes targeted Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

US hits Iranian targets

US forces said they struck about 90 military targets.

These included missile and drone storage sites, as well as military logistics facilities along Iran’s coastline.

Iranian state media reported that US strikes hit a railway bridge in the northeast of the country.

IRNA also reported strikes on a military base in coastal Bushehr, which hosts Iran’s only civilian nuclear power plant.

Earlier, warplanes were heard over Kish Island, while explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas, Konarak and Chabahar.

Part of Chabahar also lost electricity, according to IRNA.

Iran strikes back

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they responded by striking key infrastructure and facilities at US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

The IRGC named Arifjan and Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, as well as Juffair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain.

An AFP journalist heard blasts in Bahrain’s capital, Manama.

Kuwait said it had intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks.

A US military official said Iran’s latest attacks did not cause American casualties or major damage to facilities.

Hormuz control disputed

Iran has insisted that the Strait of Hormuz should be opened only under “Iranian arrangements”.

Its chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that if the US strikes, it would be struck back.

Since US-Israeli strikes triggered war in February, Tehran has pushed to control the strait.

Iran has threatened to charge fees for passage and strike vessels that do not follow its authorised routes.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint.

Pakistan, a key mediator in US-Iran talks, has also urged restraint.

Oman condemned the targeting of Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as strikes on ships.

The International Maritime Organisation said almost 6 000 seafarers remain stranded in the area.