US missiles struck targets across Iran yesterday after President Donald Trump vowed ‘major military punishment’ for Tehran and its Houthi allies in Yemen for extending the Middle East war to a second major shipping chokepoint, the mouth of the Red Sea.
Two weeks after the collapse of an interim truce meant to end the war, the Iranian armed forces responded by firing at neighbouring Arab countries and warning that they may strike non-military buildings.
The entrance to the Gulf has so far been the focus of a war that has killed thousands in almost five months, stoked global inflation and fanned fears of an economic downturn.
The Houthi fighters struck two Saudi tankers on Thursday in the Red Sea’s Bab Al Mandeb strait, boosting oil prices by seven per cent to top $100 per barrel for the first time since May.
Sources said Pakistan was exploring a path towards a resumption of stalled talks between the US and Iran over ending the war, following a push initiated by China.
In a statement on X, the Iranian health ministry said 59 people had been killed and 666 wounded since the resumption of clashes with US forces in late June.
The Iranian army said it had attacked Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Erbil in Iraq.
Bahrain said it had intercepted Iranian drones and missiles and Jordan’s army said it had downed seven Iranian missiles and six drones.
The US embassy in Baghdad said US citizens in the Middle East should exercise caution and remain on heightened alert.
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