The US says it carried out overnight strikes on more than 80 targets inside Iran after accusing Tehran of being behind attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington says the targets included air-defence systems, radar installations and over 60 small boats allegedly used to harass commercial shipping.

Iran has denied responsibility for the attacks on a Saudi oil tanker and a Qatari LNG carrier near Oman. But it responded swiftly to the US action, claiming missile and drone strikes on 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Missile alerts were reported across the two Gulf states as fears of a wider regional conflict grew.

The escalation comes as Iran continues state funeral ceremonies for its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, which are due to conclude on Thursday.

Adding further pressure, the US has also revoked a waiver that allowed certain sales of Iranian oil.

The key question now: Is this a temporary exchange of strikes, or the start of a more dangerous phase in the US-Iran confrontation?

Published on July 9, 2026