The United States and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes in early June 2026, sharply weakening a ceasefire the two sides reached in April. US Central Command shot down three Iranian drones aimed at civilian mariners in the Gulf and conducted what it called self-defence strikes on an island near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran fired ballistic missiles at US allies in the region; three were intercepted over Bahrain, two fell short of Kuwait, and a separate strike on Kuwait International Airport killed one person. Indirect talks on extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait have stalled over Israel's ongoing military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
US Central Command response
US Central Command said it shot down three Iranian drones targeting civilian mariners and carried out self-defence strikes on an Iranian island abutting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil. CENTCOM framed the action as defensive rather than escalatory.
Iranian missile salvo at US allies
Iran launched ballistic missiles at US allies in the Persian Gulf. CENTCOM said three missiles aimed at Bahrain were intercepted by air defences, and two missiles aimed at Kuwait broke apart or fell short en route.
Kuwait airport strike
A separate Iranian strike hit Kuwait International Airport early Wednesday, killing one person and injuring others, according to Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The IRGC denied responsibility for the airport hit.
Ceasefire under strain
The April 7-8 ceasefire that ended more than five weeks of open fighting now lies under sustained strain. The latest exchanges follow earlier US strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian retaliation, including missile launches at US bases in the region.
Talks stalled over Lebanon
Indirect negotiations on extending the ceasefire, lifting the US blockade and broader discussions of Iran's nuclear programme have stalled. Tehran cited Israel's military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon as the trigger for cutting off communication with Washington.
Mentioned in this story
Pressing for a longer-term agreement that would extend the April 2026 ceasefire with Iran.
Announced the drone intercepts and self-defence strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Conducted retaliatory strikes; denied responsibility for the Kuwait airport hit.
Chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil shipments; Iran has threatened to close it.
Hit by a missile early Wednesday; one person killed, several injured.