US bases in Middle East face second round of retaliatory Iranian attacks

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced retaliatory strikes on US military bases in the Middle East, prompting Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain to activate air defenses and warn civilians to take cover. The US military responded with airstrikes targeting Iranian surveillance, communication, and air defense sites near the Strait of Hormuz, with explosions reported across key Iranian locations. President Donald Trump warned of potential further US attacks if a diplomatic resolution is not reached. Three Indian seafarers were killed after a US strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker *M/T Settebello* in the Gulf of Oman, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The attack occurred as part of a US-led blockade on Iranian oil shipments, with 21 of the 24 crew members rescued. India condemned the strike and summoned Washington’s Chargé d’Affaires to protest, while the US Central Command stated the vessel was targeted after failing to comply with directions during the blockade, which has disabled eight non-compliant ships since April 13. A fire in the engine room of an unidentified tanker was reported 21 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, Oman, by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), though no environmental impact was confirmed. The UKMTO, a Royal Navy-affiliated body monitoring shipping in the region, noted a surge in emergency calls since Iran restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes. Diplomatic talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Qatar, continued overnight in Tehran despite the escalation, with a Qatari delegation leaving after negotiations. The US has redirected 134 ships and allowed 42 humanitarian vessels to pass under the blockade, while tensions remain high in the region. The incident has strained India-US relations, with New Delhi demanding the immediate repatriation of rescued crew members and the return of the deceased seafarers’ remains. Meanwhile, the US insists its actions are part of enforcing maritime security against Iranian oil smuggling.