U.S. Bombs Iran's Military Sites; Iran Fires Back at Gulf Countries

The United States struck over 300 Iranian military targets between July 7 and July 13, hitting launch sites for missiles and drones, ammunition depots, and communication facilities Reuters. The strikes came in three separate waves: roughly 80 targets on July 7 CENTCOM, about 90 more over July 7–8 CENTCOM, and around 140 in the final wave, carried out by fighter jets and drones CENTCOM. U.S. military officials said the latest wave was complete on July 13 AP.

The U.S. strikes also targeted Iran's air defense systems and fast attack boats near the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly one-third of the world's seaborne oil passes Reuters. U.S. officials said they began this campaign after Iran attacked a commercial cargo ship, the M/V Ever Lovely, on June 25 CENTCOM. The goal, according to Washington, is to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and stop attacking vessels Reuters.

But Iran closed the Strait on July 11 after firing on an unauthorized ship that tried to pass through Reuters. Since then, Iranian military units have attacked commercial ships attempting to sail through nearby routes, according to security analysts Soufan Center. When the U.S. demanded that Iran publicly reopen the Strait and commit to stopping the attacks, Iran refused AP.

As the U.S. strikes continued, Iran hit back in new places each time. By July 8, Iranian forces had attacked military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, both countries that host U.S. bases Reuters, as well as Qatar AP. By July 13, Iran claimed it had also struck U.S. military targets in Oman and Jordan Al Jazeera. The Iranian military claimed it damaged fuel storage and ammunition at an airbase in Jordan Guardian.

Why does it matter that Iran spread its attacks across five different countries rather than focusing on one? Because each of those countries — Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman — hosts U.S. military facilities. If one of these countries feels threatened enough by the attacks, its own military might decide to join the fight, turning a conflict between Washington and Tehran into something much larger.

Another concerning sign: Iranian officials have begun saying that talking to the United States is pointless. When governments stop talking, chances for a peaceful solution shrink. The U.S. has asked Iran to make a public announcement that the Strait is open, but if Iran believes negotiation is futile, it is unlikely to comply. So far, neither Washington nor Tehran has offered the other a way out that both sides could accept without losing face.