Washington: The U.S. military confirmed it launched a new wave of attacks against Iran for the second consecutive day to maintain normal shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. This action prompted Iran to retaliate with attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain. The latest escalation could impact efforts to end the conflict that has been ongoing since February.
According to Thai News Agency, the US stated that this operation was in retaliation for Tuesday's attack on three cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command announced that US forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets along the coastline, including air defense systems, missile and drone depots, naval equipment, and military logistics systems.
The US attack impacted several cities along Iran's southern coast and led to power outages in some areas, prompting an immediate Iranian retaliation targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Kuwait's Ministry of Defense stated that it intercepted missiles and drones.
President Donald Trump posted a message on the Truth Social platform warning that this was punishment for Iran's attack on the cargo ship, and that the situation would be much worse if it happened again. Before the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump stated that the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran on June 17th was over, as Iran had "broken its honor." However, Trump believes the situation will not escalate into a full-scale war and that everything will end quickly with increased security, especially regarding the oil supply.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Baker Galibaf, Iran's Speaker of the National Assembly and head of the negotiating team, responded in a message on the X platform, stating that the US must learn that threats and breaches of agreements come with a price. He added that if the US attacks, it will be attacked in return, and that the Strait of Hormuz will only be operational under Iran's agreement, not because of US threats.
The escalating tensions immediately impacted energy markets, with Brent crude oil futures rising approximately 1% to $78.80 per barrel, or about 2,836.80 baht. However, this price remains below the high of over $120 per barrel, or about 4,320 baht, which soared in late April.