The most serious escalation in fighting between the US and Iran since the April ceasefire has left the truce at risk of collapse, threatening a personal crisis for Donald Trump and global economic pain.
Iran fired missiles and drones at US bases and its Gulf neighbours overnight, killing one and injuring more than 60 in a strike on Kuwait’s international airport. The Iranian military also claimed an attack on a US Navy base in Bahrain.
Tehran said the strikes were in retaliation after US Central Command forces launched “self-defence” attacks against sites on Iran’s Qeshm island, and fired a missile at an Iranian tanker that the US military said was attempting to break its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The exchange of fire is just the latest in a recent surge of violence, and with negotiations at an impasse, the ceasefire appears increasingly at risk.
Damage at Kuwait’s international airport following the Iranian attack (Photo: AFP/Getty)
