Iran and U.S. trade new strikes as Trump dismisses pressure to end war

Iran launched a missile strike on an unidentified U.S. airbase early Thursday, marking retaliation for recent U.S. attacks on Iranian one-way attack drones and a ground control station near Bandar Abbas. The U.S. had struck the targets after assessing they posed a direct threat to its forces and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, where several American ships had attempted unauthorized passage. This was the second such U.S. operation in three days, with officials emphasizing the strikes were limited and defensive in nature. Kuwait’s military reported intercepting hostile missile and drone threats, suggesting Iran or its proxies targeted a U.S. base there, which has been hit before in the ongoing conflict. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) confirmed the attack on the U.S. base, stating it was a response to what it called a ‘blatant violation’ of the ceasefire and international law. The IRGC also warned of a ‘more decisive’ response if further U.S. strikes occurred, placing responsibility for escalation on Washington. President Donald Trump rejected calls to de-escalate, stating no agreement with Iran was near and dismissing economic or political pressure to end the war. He also threatened Oman, a U.S. ally, against partnering with Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, declaring, ‘Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up.’ Trump later clarified that Oman understood the message and would comply. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, condemned the U.S. strikes as aggressive actions violating Iran’s sovereignty and the ceasefire. The conflict has disrupted global trade, particularly oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked since a U.S.-Israeli attack in late February. Prices for essential goods like oil, natural gas, and fertilizer have risen sharply as a result.