The conflict between the United States and Iran continued for a 13th consecutive night, with both sides launching fresh attacks as tensions across the Middle East showed no signs of easing. The latest exchanges have further raised fears of wider regional instability and disruption to global trade.
The United States carried out another round of missile strikes late Thursday and into early Friday, extending its military campaign against Iran. The renewed attacks came two weeks after an interim truce broke down, leading to a sharp escalation in hostilities.
Iranian state media reported that missiles hit Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on both Thursday and Friday. The vital shipping route has become a key flashpoint in the conflict and is now largely closed to commercial shipping.
The conflict, now in its fifth month, has claimed thousands of lives and increased concerns over the global economy due to growing uncertainty around energy supplies and international trade.
Trump Says Iran Will Pay for Ship Damage
US President Donald Trump said any damage caused to ships or cargo during the conflict would be covered using Iranian assets under US control.
“Please let this statement serve to represent, until further notice, that from this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls.
These damages may be very substantial but, nevertheless, this is the fair and equitable thing to do. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social. Earlier on Thursday, he also said Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and claimed Washington was doing “extremely well” as the conflict continued.
Iran Says It Targeted US Military Positions
Iran said it launched retaliatory strikes against US military assets in the Gulf region, claiming to have targeted missile systems, weapons depots and fuel storage facilities in Jordan, as well as American military positions in Kuwait.
Jordan’s military said it intercepted four Iranian missiles and six drones during the past 24 hours. According to officials, all but one missile were successfully destroyed. The remaining missile landed in an uninhabited area, with no casualties reported.
Kuwait Strike Claims Remain Unverified
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they struck a US electronic warfare unit at the Al-Adiri base in Kuwait, saying the attack caused unspecified casualties. The group said the strike was in response to overnight US attacks on Iran’s Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq.
Iranian military spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran would continue its retaliatory operations as long as the United States kept attacking Iranian infrastructure and coastal regions, according to Iranian state television.
However, neither US officials nor Kuwaiti authorities have confirmed any casualties or damage at the military base.
First published on: Jul 24, 2026 07:43 AM IST
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