Tensions in the Middle East escalated further on Sunday as the United States military carried out fresh strikes against Iranian targets following an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Armed Forces confirmed that their air defense systems intercepted “hostile aerial targets” within the country’s airspace.
In a statement posted on X, the military explained that the sounds of explosions heard by residents were the result of defensive operations and urged the public to remain calm and follow official instructions. The source of the attacks was not immediately disclosed.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) “blatantly attacked” a Cyprus‑flagged container ship transiting the strait. One crew member remains missing.
The IRGC, however, claimed it fired warning shots at a vessel attempting to use what it described as an unauthorized route, declaring the strait closed to such traffic. It accused foreign powers of interfering in the strategic waterway.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center separately reported that crew members of a damaged vessel near the strait were forced to abandon ship, though the vessel’s identity was not disclosed.
In retaliation, US forces struck approximately 140 Iranian military targets, marking the third round of strikes in a week. Both Washington and Tehran have exchanged fire repeatedly in recent days, with leaders of both countries issuing public threats over the weekend.
Efforts to de‑escalate the crisis have continued. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his Omani counterpart to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Oman has reportedly drafted a tentative proposal to regulate maritime traffic in the strait, according to diplomatic sources.
US officials have stated that negotiations with Tehran cannot advance until safe passage for international shipping is guaranteed. The recent attacks have further complicated mediation efforts, with President Donald Trump declaring earlier in the week that the ceasefire was “over.”
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, with nearly a fifth of global oil trade passing through its waters. The latest developments underscore the risk of wider regional instability if diplomatic channels fail to secure a resolution.
