The United States launched airstrikes early Wednesday against Iran, blaming Tehran for the crash of an American attack helicopter, and Iran responded by firing on countries in the region, escalating tensions that threaten to derail ongoing negotiations to end the war. Hours after Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan came under Iranian fire, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran was taking "too long to negotiate a deal" and that "now they will have to pay the price." The back-and-forth strikes marked the second time this week such exchanges have tested the ceasefire, following Iran and Israel targeting each other on Monday.
The U.S. airstrikes targeted air defense systems, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, according to Central Command, which described the operation as a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S.
forces and international commercial ships. Iran acknowledged the strikes but provided no details on damage.
Iran's top diplomat vowed a response, and Tehran later claimed attacks in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Jordan reported shooting down five incoming missiles targeting the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, which hosts American F-35 fighter jets, with no injuries reported.
Bahrain and Kuwait said they intercepted incoming fire without elaborating.
The exchanges came a day after a U.S. Army attack helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz following a collision with an Iranian drone, according to a U.S.
official speaking on condition of anonymity. It was unclear whether the collision was intentional.
Both aviators were rescued by a drone boat and were uninjured, Trump said.
Since the U.S. and Israel began the war with attacks on Iran on February 28, the conflict has shaken the global economy, driving up energy prices and making basics like food more expensive.
Brent crude oil was above $91 a barrel on Wednesday, up more than 25% since the war started. Iran has proved resilient despite heavy bombing, betting that its ability to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial passage for global oil and natural gas—gives it a strong bargaining chip.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran would review its stance on negotiations in light of the new attacks. Trump has expressed optimism about a deal but also made demands that are tough for Iran to accept, including giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful but refuses to surrender the uranium and demands sanctions relief and release of frozen assets before any final agreement. Trump has repeatedly threatened to walk away from talks.
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon, launching multiple strikes in southern Lebanon that killed at least six people east of Tyre. Iran insists any deal must also end fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears intent on pursuing the collapse of Iran's government, elimination of its nuclear program, and destruction of Hezbollah.