The United States struck Iranian radar and drone control sites near the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by targeting a US air base, the third known exchange of fire in a week despite a ceasefire nominally in effect since April [3][4]. Negotiations to extend that ceasefire have stalled after President Donald Trump reportedly demanded changes to a draft agreement concerning Iran's highly enriched uranium and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz [21]. Kuwait, for the second time in less than a week, activated air defenses to intercept hostile missiles and drones, with air-raid sirens sounding across the country [6][18].
US Central Command described its operations as "self-defence strikes" on facilities in the city of Goruk and on Qeshm Island, stating they were "measured and deliberate" responses to "aggressive Iranian actions," including the shootdown of a US MQ-1 drone over international waters [5][23]. The strikes destroyed air defenses, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones that Centcom said posed threats to ships transiting regional waters [17].
The IRGC framed its response in mirror-image terms. It announced that its Aerospace Force identified and struck the air base from which the US launched an attack on a telecommunications tower on Sirik Island in Hormozgan province [7][22]. The Guards warned that if US aggression were repeated, the response would be completely different [7]. Hurriyet, citing BBC satellite imagery analysis, reported damage to 20 US military facilities from Iranian retaliation [10]. VnExpress, citing Bloomberg, reported that Iran launched a Fateh-110 ballistic missile at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem air base, wounding five US personnel and destroying one or two MQ-9 Reaper drones, with VnExpress citing Bloomberg reporting one destroyed and Infobae reporting two damaged [15][18].
Kuwait's General Staff said explosions heard across the country were the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks [4][9]. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry had previously accused Tehran of launching a missile and drone attack on its territory [18]. The attacks on a country not party to the conflict drew attention from outlets across the Gulf, Latin America, and Europe. Danny Citrinowicz, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council and former head of an Iran branch of Israeli military intelligence, warned of "a crisis neither side originally intended," driven by gradual tit-for-tat strikes and miscalculation rather than a deliberate march toward open war [9].
Trump wrote on social media that "Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the USA and those that are with us," urging critics to "sit back and relax" [3][4]. He stated that the only guarantee he requires is that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons, adding that Tehran has accepted that condition [11]. Iran's chief negotiator said on Sunday that Tehran would not approve any agreement until Iranian rights were fully secured [3][8]. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that until a clear conclusion is reached, "todo lo que se dice ahora es especulación" (everything being said now is speculation) [11]. Tagesschau reported that Trump was dissatisfied with the draft deal's handling of Iran's highly enriched uranium and that Iran insists that the release of $12 billion in frozen overseas assets must be resolved before entering the next negotiation phase [21]. Iranian parliamentarian Alireza Salimi announced that the parliament would soon study a plan on the "gestión y soberanía" (management and sovereignty) of the Strait of Hormuz, including administrative fees for transit [11].
On a parallel front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to strike Hezbollah targets in Beirut's Dahiyeh district, citing repeated ceasefire violations and attacks on Israeli cities [1][9]. Israeli forces captured Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, which Netanyahu described as a decisive turning point [20][5], marking the deepest Israeli incursion into Lebanon in 26 years. Middle East Eye reported that Israel coordinated the expansion of its Lebanon operations with the US administration, with Israel's ambassador in Washington playing a central role [19].
European leaders responded with calls for restraint. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that "nothing justifies the major escalation under way in south Lebanon" [5][9]. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said nothing could justify the prolongation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon, calling it a "schweren Fehler" (serious mistake), while acknowledging Israel's right to defend against Hezbollah attacks [24]. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed "Anlass zu großer Sorge" (cause for great concern) and demanded both sides halt hostilities [24]. UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper called for the ceasefire to be respected and demanded Hezbollah stop attacks and disarm [24]. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the situation as "a vicious and reprehensible Israeli aggression" [8][13]. France requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Lebanon [2][12].
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed a gradual de-escalation plan under which Hezbollah would halt all attacks on Israel and Israel would refrain from further escalation in Beirut [13][24]. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said he could guarantee Hezbollah's compliance with a ceasefire but insisted Israel must stop firing first [8][13]. Hezbollah rejected the negotiations [24].
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that the Israeli military offensive has killed 3,412 people and wounded 10,269 since March 2 [13]. An Israeli strike on Deir Zahrani killed eight people, including three women, and wounded 19, including five children [10]. The ICRC stated that civilians in Iran are paying a heavy price, with damage to schools, hospitals, homes, and Red Crescent facilities [29]. Human Rights Watch raised concerns about reported US strikes on a school and sports hall in Lamerd and a school in Minab, reportedly killing civilians including children [30].
Russia and China jointly requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting, framing the US and Israeli strikes on Iran as an "unprovoked act of armed aggression" [35]. The US Senate voted 50–47 to debate a war powers measure that would compel Trump to end hostilities in Iran or obtain congressional authorization [31].
The conflict's economic effects extend well beyond the region. Reuters reported oil prices surged from $70 to $80 per barrel within days of the initial strikes [27]. South Korea's National Assembly Research Service found that a 10 percent rise in oil prices increases domestic manufacturing costs by approximately 0.71 percent [34]. BBC Swahili reported that disruptions to fertilizer and food supply chains are affecting East African countries [36]. The International Crisis Group noted a 38 percent drop in Egypt's Suez Canal revenues in the first quarter of 2026 due to Red Sea shipping disruptions [37].
The next expected development is the UN Security Council emergency session on Lebanon requested by France, alongside continued US-Iran negotiations whose timeline remains undefined [2][12][21].