The US military announced it shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that posed an immediate threat to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, US forces targeted Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites on Goruk and Qeshm Island, according to a statement from US Central Command (Centcom).

Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at two US air bases in Kuwait and facilities of the US Navy in Bahrain, Iran's state-run Irib news agency reported. Centcom stated that six of the seven Iranian missiles fired were intercepted, and one did not reach its intended target.

This exchange follows recent strikes between the US and Iran, heightening tensions and testing a fragile ceasefire. Last Wednesday, Iranian drone strikes on Kuwait's international airport resulted in one death and over 60 injuries, according to local officials.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) initially denied responsibility for the Kuwait airport strike, attributing the damage to an error by a US missile interceptor. Centcom refuted this claim, asserting that Iran's attack was deliberate, calculated, and unjustified.

Prior to the Kuwait incident, the IRGC stated it had targeted US bases in the Gulf in retaliation for US strikes on an Iranian oil tanker and Qeshm Island. These events occurred as ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran stalled, with no progress on a deal to end the conflict.

The current escalation traces back to late February when the US and Israel launched extensive strikes on Iran, triggering conflict across the Middle East. Iran responded by targeting Israel and US-allied nations in the Gulf, leading to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and liquefied natural gas transport.

The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and LNG travels, caused a significant surge in global oil prices. Following a ceasefire agreement in early April, the US imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, which President Donald Trump has stated will remain in effect until a formal agreement is reached and certified.

Analysts suggest that while President Trump desires an end to the conflict, Iran appears unwilling to concede. The ongoing exchange of strikes underscores the precarious nature of the current de-escalation efforts and the potential for renewed hostilities in the strategically vital Gulf region.