The United States (US) and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes as both countries attempt to hold up a fragile ceasefire amid negotiations.
Early Wednesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it conducted overnight “self-defence” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by the Islamic Republic across the Middle East.
Before the strikes, CENTCOM said US forces disabled an unladen oil tanker that was attempting to sail towards an Iranian port on the Arabian Gulf.
Iranian authorities flagged the strikes on the ship as the trigger for resumed exchanges.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it responded by targeting a US-Israeli vessel with naval missiles before US forces struck an IRGC communications tower south of Qeshm Island.
The IRGC also said it launched missiles and drones at “US military targets”, including an airbase, the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and helicopters stationed in a regional country.
CENTCOM said the claims were false.
Meanwhile, Kuwait reported drone and missile strikes on its international airport on Wednesday morning.
The Gulf state said the attacks killed one person, injured a number of people, and caused “significant” building damage.
Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, defence ministry spokesman, described the attack as “criminal Iranian aggression”.
The latest attacks come after talks between the US and Iran on a deal to end the months-long war failed to advance over the weekend.
