United States and Iran exchange military strikes amid rising tensions in the Middle East

On July 8 and 9, 2026, U.S. forces conducted two consecutive nights of airstrikes against approximately 90 targets in Iran, including air defense systems, radar facilities, and missile storage sites. The U.S. Central Command stated these strikes were intended to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz following attacks on oil tankers. Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported explosions in cities including Bandar Abbas, Konarak, Chabahar, and Sirik, with power outages reported in some areas. In retaliation, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced strikes on U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, specifically naming the Arifjan and Ali Al Salem bases in Kuwait and Juffair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain. The Kuwaiti military reported intercepting incoming missiles and drones, clarifying that explosions heard were results of air defense systems. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at a NATO summit in Turkey, declared that the ceasefire agreement with Tehran was effectively over. Oil prices surged by over 4% as global markets reacted to the potential for further disruption in the Persian Gulf.