Washington D.C. – Web Desk: The United States launched deadly airstrikes across five Iranian provinces over two days, killing at least 14 people and wounding 78 others, according to Iran’s Health Ministry on Thursday. The strikes have triggered a dramatic escalation in the Gulf region, with Iran retaliating by attacking targets in Kuwait and Bahrain, both home to US military installations.

Iranian Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour confirmed that 47 of the injured remain hospitalized, while others have been discharged after treatment. Among the dead, three were killed near the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Iranian state media reported.

The renewed hostilities shattered a fragile ceasefire reached last month between Washington and Tehran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were necessary to “degrade Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz” following attacks on commercial shipping vessels.

Iran Warns of ‘Crushing Responses’

Iran’s military claimed responsibility for drone strikes targeting US bases across the Gulf, including a Patriot missile system in Kuwait, an early warning satellite site in Qatar, and fuel storage facilities in Bahrain. The Iranian armed forces warned that “crushing responses would be expanded to include other American bases in the region” if attacks continue.

Bahrain’s Defense Force said its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed “several Iranian aerial threats,” while air raid sirens were activated for the third time in Manama. The small Gulf nation has urged citizens to seek shelter as explosions were heard across the capital.

Global Powers React as Crisis Deepens

US President Donald Trump warned that American bombing would “get much worse” if Iran does not halt its attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We just hit them very hard, and I say we hit them 20 to one. Every time they hit us, we’re going to hit them 20,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot blamed Iran for provoking the US attacks, stating that Tehran violated its commitments by targeting ships in Omani waters. Meanwhile, Iran condemned NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s support for US strikes, accusing European nations of “willful complicity” in the conflict.

Strait of Hormuz Traffic Grinds to Halt

Maritime traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted, with shipping data showing only a handful of vessels transiting the waterway. Approximately 6,000 seafarers remain trapped in the area, according to the International Maritime Organization, which condemned the “reckless attacks” endangering civilian lives.

The crisis has pushed oil prices higher, with Brent crude rising approximately 1% to $78.80 per barrel, though prices remain well below April peaks of over $120.

Iran Summons UK Ambassador

In a separate diplomatic development, Iran summoned the British ambassador in Tehran to protest what it called “false and baseless accusations” from UK officials. Iranian authorities accused Britain of complicity with the US and Israel in “heinous crimes” and destabilizing West Asia.

The latest escalation threatens to derail the June 17 Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran, which had raised hopes for a permanent resolution to the conflict that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.