WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: The United States and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes on Sunday, marking a sharp escalation in their confrontation as both sides widened the scope of hostilities across the Gulf region.
The latest round of violence began after the United States launched new airstrikes against targets in Iran on the orders of President Donald Trump, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Washington said the operation was carried out in retaliation for an attack on American forces in Jordan that killed US service members and was also intended to reduce Iran’s military capabilities in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said US forces began the strikes at 6 p.m. Eastern Time (2200 GMT). It said the operation was designed to further weaken Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while swiftly punishing elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that Washington blamed for the attack on US personnel in Jordan.
Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction. The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 18, 2026
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supplies passes, has remained at the centre of rising regional tensions, with fears that continued military exchanges could disrupt global energy markets and international shipping.
Iran responded by announcing what it described as a large-scale drone operation targeting two US military facilities in neighbouring Kuwait.
According to a statement broadcast by Iran’s state television, the Iranian army launched “kamikaze drones” at Camp Udairi, which it said housed a US ammunition depot, and at Ali Al Salem Air Base, targeting Patriot missile defence systems and air surveillance radar installations.
Iranian authorities described the strikes as retaliation for the latest US attacks on Iranian territory. However, there was no immediate confirmation from US or Kuwaiti officials regarding the reported drone attacks or any casualties or damage.
The exchange of strikes represents another major escalation in the rapidly expanding conflict between Washington and Tehran, raising fresh concerns over regional security and the safety of international maritime trade through one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.
Military officials on both sides have yet to indicate whether further operations are planned, but the latest developments underscore the growing risk of a broader confrontation across the Gulf.
US Completes Eighth Consecutive Night of Strikes Against Iran
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has completed its eighth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, carrying out another round of attacks on July 18 at 11:30 p.m. ET on the orders of the US president.
CENTCOM said its forces targeted Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defence facilities, maritime assets, and locations used for storing missiles and drones in an effort to further weaken Iran’s military capabilities. The strikes also hit Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions linked to attacks on US personnel in Jordan on July 17.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 19, 2026
CENTCOM said more than 50,000 US military personnel are currently deployed across the Middle East, maintaining a high state of readiness and remaining prepared to respond to potential threats.
US missile attack reported near Shadegan
A US missile attack targeted an area near Shadegan in Iran’s Khuzestan province, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
حمله موشکی آمریکا به منطقهای در حوالی شادگان
معاون امنیتی استانداری خوزستان:
نیروهای عملیاتی در منطقه حضور دارند و آخرین وضعیت و میزان خسارت را اعلام خواهند کرد
— خبرگزاری تسنیم (@Tasnimnews_Fa) July 19, 2026
A deputy security official of the Khuzestan Governorate said operational forces were present at the site and would announce the latest situation and extent of damage.
Kuwait Says Air Defence System Confronting ‘Hostile’ Iranian Missiles
Kuwait’s armed forces are reporting incoming Iranian missile and drone’s attacks, Al Jazeera reported.
The army said it “notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks,” it said in a statement.
تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة معادية ، إثر العدوان الإيراني الاثم.
تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش أن أصوات الانفجارات إن سمعت فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية.
يرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن… pic.twitter.com/Q2vXG7EQNM
— KUWAIT ARMY – الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) July 19, 2026
Top Iranian Commander Warns US of ‘Decisive’ Response to Any Future Attack
A senior Iranian military commander has warned that any future US military action against Iran would be met with what he described as a “decisive and devastating” response from the country’s armed forces, according to Al Jazeera.
Major-General Ali Abdullahi, head of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said in remarks carried by Iranian state media that Iran is fully prepared to respond forcefully to any act of aggression.
Abdullahi described the United States as “the Great Satan” and accused Washington of being a “criminal, treacherous and deceitful enemy.”
He also said Iran would continue strengthening coordination and unity among its armed forces, government institutions and the public, adding that the country would ensure the United States pays a heavier price than in previous confrontations if it launches any future attack.
