US and Iran Exchange Fresh Strikes as Ceasefire Talks Stall

The United States and Iran launched new missile and drone attacks on each other, further jeopardizing efforts to secure a new ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.

On Tuesday, the US military said it fired a Hellfire missile to disable the engine of a tanker that was allegedly attempting to break through the American blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and head toward Iran. According to US officials, the vessel ignored repeated warnings over a 24-hour period.

In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it launched missile and drone attacks against the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. The claim was denied by the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Kuwait and Bahrain on Alert

Kuwait said its air defenses intercepted incoming missiles and drones, warning residents to avoid any debris from intercepted targets. Air-raid sirens were also activated in Bahrain.

According to CENTCOM:

Two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait either fell short or broke apart before reaching their target.

Three missiles targeting Bahrain were intercepted by US and Bahraini forces.

Additional drone attacks against US forces in Kuwait were also repelled.

No US personnel were reported injured.

US Strikes on Qeshm Island

American forces carried out strikes on a military ground-control station on Qeshm Island. The US military also said it shot down three one-way attack drones allegedly launched by Iran toward civilian shipping in regional waters.

Peace Talks Facing New Obstacles

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintained that a diplomatic agreement with Iran remains possible, saying Tehran has shown willingness to discuss aspects of its nuclear program that it previously refused to negotiate.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled a harder line, warning that Iran could suspend peace talks with Washington over Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

Araghchi stated that the Iran-US ceasefire applies “on all fronts,” including Lebanon, and argued that any violation in one theater would constitute a violation of the entire agreement.

Israeli Strikes Continue in Lebanon

Israeli warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes across southern Lebanon. Lebanon's state news agency reported that six members of the same family, including two children and a woman, were killed near Sidon.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said he had intervened to prevent an imminent Israeli strike on Beirut and had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming that all parties had agreed to halt hostilities.

Hormuz Blockade Expands

The US military said it has disabled six vessels since launching its blockade of Iran on April 13 and has redirected 122 ships seeking to enter or leave Iranian ports.

The latest exchange of attacks underscores the fragile state of diplomacy in the Middle East and raises fresh concerns that efforts to secure a broader ceasefire could collapse amid continued military escalation.