Iran Launches Fresh Gulf Strikes After US Shoots Down Its Drones and Bombs Radar Installations

Strait of Hormuz . U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones launched toward the Strait, calling them an "immediate threat to regional maritime traffic," before striking Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites at Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further maritime attacks. The IRGC separately said it targeted and stopped one of four oil tankers attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz after issuing a warning, with the remaining vessels turning back. The operation marks at least the fourth publicly announced U.S. self-defence strike against Iranian targets since the ceasefire took effect on April 8th.

Tehran's response was swift and broad. Iran fired seven ballistic missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain . Six were intercepted by American and Bahraini air defences; the seventh failed to reach its target. CENTCOM flatly dismissed Iranian claims of damaging the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain as "false." Kuwait's foreign ministry branded the assault a "serious escalation" and a "flagrant violation of its sovereignty." Iran offered no remorse. Tehran's Foreign Ministry instead said Kuwait and Bahrain bear responsibility for attacks on their soil because they permitted Washington to use their bases against Iran.

Iran warned its adversary faces a " complete closure " of the Strait of Hormuz if U.S. strikes on Iranian territory continue.

Trump remained characteristically unrattled. Speaking at an event in Wisconsin, he declared the Iran war "largely finished" but left open a harder path: "One way or the other, it's finished," making clear his goal is denying Iran a nuclear weapon. He also told NBC News he is "moving very fast," adding: "I'm into three months, you know. Vietnam lasted 19 years." On the economic siege, Trump told reporters the naval blockade is "the most powerful thing," boasting: "Not one ship has gotten through unless we wanted it to." Behind the scenes, Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee this week, meeting nuclear experts as the U.S. works toward nuclear negotiations with Iran. The visit underscores that Washington is simultaneously striking Iran and quietly preparing a diplomatic endgame.

Tehran, meanwhile, put a price tag on peace . Mohsen Rezaei , military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei , told CNN: "The negotiations are at a deadlock and Trump must break this deadlock. The ball is in Trump's court." He framed the demand for $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets as a "test of trust" : "This $24 billion is a test that America must pass and the path will be opened. This is our own money, not America's money." He also accused Trump of speaking "ambiguously," saying that approach "does not work with Iran" and that "a profound atmosphere of mistrust" dominates the talks. Rezaei warned Tehran will expand strikes to the Indian Ocean, Bab al-Mandab, Red Sea, and the Mediterranean if Washington resumes conflict. Washington replied with fresh Iran-related sanctions on entities and LNG tankers within hours of the interview airing.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also fired back at Lebanon's President, who accused Tehran of using Beirut as a bargaining chip in negotiations. Araghchi wrote on X: "Had Lebanon been a bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have had a deal long ago. Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr. President ," in an unmistakable reference to Israel. He poured cold water on Trump's summit ambitions, telling Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen: "I think we should be realistic and think and live in the real world ", a response to Trump telling the New York Post this week that he would like to meet Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei , adding " we probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out ."

With direct talks gridlocked, Pakistan stepped in . Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelled to Tehran on Saturday carrying new proposals to revive stalled peace negotiations , following meetings at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

As all this unfolded, a spy scandal cracked open Washington's own alliance . The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency elevated its counterintelligence threat assessment for Israel to its highest level , amid concerns that Israeli espionage had grown more aggressive than normal. Senior U.S. officials now travel to Israel carrying burner phones and temporary laptops , with extreme caution exercised when speaking in hotel rooms . Analyst Emily Harding of CSIS was blunt: "They have a hyper-aggressive intelligence service . They are exceedingly interested in what we are up to." The Israeli Embassy denied everything; the White House called the reports inaccurate; the Pentagon declined to comment. The silence from the Pentagon is its own answer. Meanwhile Netanyahu dismissed Trump reportedly calling him "f ing crazy"* during a phone call this week as merely the "tactical disagreements" of "the best of families."

In Lebanon , at least 32 people were killed in 24 hours as Hezbollah , having rejected a U.S. brokered ceasefire, continued trading strikes with Israeli forces. A war that was supposed to be "largely finished" keeps finding new fronts.