Iran strikes Kuwait and Bahrain after US conducts second day of airstrikes near Strait of Hormuz

On June 28, 2026, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Kuwait and Bahrain following two days of United States airstrikes near the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation threatens a fragile 60-day ceasefire signed on June 17, 2026. While Kuwait intercepted the strikes, Bahrain reported building damage near its airport. President Donald Trump warned that Iran 'will no longer exist' if violations continue, while Tehran threatened to halt all diplomatic negotiations.

US-Iran ceasefire violations

• ▪The United States and Iran electronically signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding on June 17, 2026, to pause hostilities for 60 days.
• ▪Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that continued United States military strikes will result in a complete halt of all diplomatic processes.
• ▪The United States and Iran accused each other of violating their ceasefire agreement following a series of retaliatory military strikes in June 2026.

Strait of Hormuz shipping

• ▪United States Central Command conducted airstrikes on Iranian military targets following drone attacks on the Singapore-flagged MV Ever Lovely on June 25, 2026, and the Panama-flagged MT Kiku on June 27, 2026.
• ▪A multinational maritime body overseen by the United States Navy expanded a shipping route near Oman, facilitating 89 commercial transits over a 72-hour period ending June 28, 2026.
• ▪Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on June 28, 2026, that Iran holds sole authority over the Strait of Hormuz and warned that external interference would increase regional tensions.

Iranian strikes on Kuwait

• ▪Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched drones and ballistic missiles targeting military infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain on June 28, 2026.
• ▪Kuwait's military intercepted incoming Iranian drones and missiles on June 28, 2026, reporting no injuries or infrastructure damage.
• ▪Iranian strikes in Bahrain on June 28, 2026, damaged the top floor of an eight-story residential building near the international airport, with no casualties reported.

Trump threats against Iran

• ▪President Donald Trump stated that United States forces may be forced to militarily complete the job if Iran continues its attacks.
• ▪United States President Donald Trump warned on June 27, 2026, that the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist if it continues to violate the ceasefire.

Lebanon heritage site damage

• ▪The Israeli military stated that it does not target civilian infrastructure excessively and strikes only out of military necessity while considering sensitive sites.
• ▪Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salame stated that Israeli military operations have damaged or destroyed revered heritage sites across southern Lebanon, including Beaufort Castle.

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

• ▪Hezbollah rejected the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, calling it null and void, and vowed to continue fighting until Israeli forces withdraw from southern Lebanon.
• ▪Israel and Lebanon signed a United States-mediated framework agreement to end fighting, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a historic accomplishment.

5 sources