Iran news highlights: Explosions, sirens heard in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait; IRGC says 'region will turn to ashes'

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Iran news LIVE: US Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected Iranian claims that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and a regional air base with missiles and drones. CENTCOM said the reports are false and stated that all Iranian attacks on American forces failed, adding that U.S. and allied forces successfully intercepted or neutralised incoming threats. It said no US facilities were hit and that American forces remain on alert and prepared to respond to further aggression in the region.

Iran news LIVE: The IRGC said its Aerospace Force launched "precise and concentrated missile attacks" on US military facilities in Kuwait.

“In response to the provocation and blatant aggression of American terrorist forces targeting the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the beloved island of Qeshm, the Air and Space Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by the grace and support of Allah and in line with its commitment to protect the homeland, subjected the military bases of American occupiers in Kuwait to precise and concentrated missile attacks, resulting in the successful destruction of their targets and the ignition of the aggressors' trenches.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by announcing this initial response for retaliation, issues a firm and decisive warning to the government of the United States, the leader of global arrogance, and all those who allow the use of their soil or airspace to violate Iran:

Any new stupidity, further aggression, or any action that violates even a single inch of our borders and sovereignty will be met with a devastating, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond all laws and established boundaries. Our brave forces will not hesitate to turn all the headquarters and interests of the aggressors in the region into ashes.

The era of "hit and run" has ended, and the aggressor forces must bear the dire consequences of their ignorance and reckless adventures.”

Iran news LIVE: US secretary of state Marco Rubio told Congress that any sanctions relief for Iran would be limited to its nuclear programme and would not include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The IAEA chief said several nuclear activities in Iran have now halted.

The US military reported disabling a Botswana-flagged oil tanker that was heading toward Iran’s Kharg Island.

UN Trade and Development warned that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz could significantly raise global oil import costs, hitting poorer nations hardest.

Violence continued in the region, with Israeli strikes killing civilians in southern Lebanon and a Hezbollah drone attack injuring Israeli soldiers.

Iran news LIVE: Iran’s geography makes it one of the most difficult countries in the world to invade, with vast mountains, deserts, and long coastlines acting as natural defensive barriers. Covering about 1.4 million square kilometres, Iran is surrounded by the Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges, which protect its western and northern regions and make land invasions highly challenging. Behind these mountains lie harsh central deserts that complicate logistics and give Iran space to disperse and hide military assets, including underground bases and missile systems.

In the south, Iran’s long coastline along the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Sea of Oman further strengthens its strategic position, with numerous islands that can be used for asymmetric warfare. The Strait of Hormuz is especially critical as it handles a significant share of global oil trade, making it a major geopolitical pressure point. Overall, Iran’s terrain creates an “escalation trap,” where any invading force would be drawn from coastal areas into difficult inland terrain, reducing its military advantage.

Iran news LIVE: US defense secretary Pete Hegseth shared a video from US Central Command (CENTCOM) showing American forces disabling an unladen oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf that was reportedly heading toward an Iranian port.

According to CENTCOM, the Botswana-flagged vessel M/T Lexie was stopped in international waters near Kharg Island after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings over a 24-hour period. The ship was then disabled when a US aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into its engine room, preventing it from continuing its route.

CENTCOM said the action was part of blockade enforcement measures on maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports, adding that several vessels have been disabled or redirected since April 13 amid the war on Iran.

Iran news LIVE: Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA reported that warning sirens were activated in the country for a second time on the same night, following earlier reports that the Kuwaiti armed forces were intercepting “hostile missile and drone threats.”

Iran news LIVE: Iranian officials accused the US of striking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island on March 7. They said the attack disrupted water supplies to around 30 villages in the region. Iran’s foreign minister called it a “blatant and desperate crime” and warned of consequences, while stressing that the facility was critical for local drinking water supply. The US denied carrying out the attack.

On May 5, the UA bombed Iranian radar and drone sites around Geruk and Qeshm Island after Iran shot down a US drone over the weekend.

In response, Iran launched missile attacks targeting American troops in Kuwait.

Iran war news LIVE: Reports claim that the recent attacks on US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait are a retaliation by Iran after Trump dropped bombs on Qeshm Island. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

Iran war news LIVE: The IRGC said in a statement that “The era of ‘hit and run’ is over.” It warned that “Any new foolishness will be met with a seismic, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond established rules and boundaries.” The statement further added, “We will not hesitate to turn all aggressors’ headquarters and interests in the region to ashes.”

Iran war news LIVE: Kuwait’s General Staff says its air defenses are currently intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks. It added that any explosion sounds heard are the result of these interception operations. The army urged the public to adhere to safety and security instructions issued by the competent authorities.

Iran war news LIVE: Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said a warning siren has been activated and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place. The announcement, reported by Reuters, comes amid heightened regional tensions, with authorities advising the public to follow safety instructions.

Iran war news LIVE: Average petrol prices in the US rose by 42.2% in May compared with 2025, according to figures from the US Transportation Department.

The increase comes amid volatile oil markets, with prices climbing about 1% to a one-week high as traders await developments in US-Iran talks. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key pressure point, with disruptions affecting nearly a fifth of global oil and LNG flows and contributing to a 50% or more surge in prices.

Iran war news LIVE: US President Donald Trump is facing pressure to secure meaningful nuclear concessions from Iran, amid criticism over any potential agreement.

Alan Eyre, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, told Al Jazeera, “the US needs to get some kind of nuclear concession from Iran; otherwise, Trump’s opponents can say he made a deal that took the US back to February 27, before the war on Iran started.”

He also said, “On Iran’s side, they need money, so they need either unblocked assets, a toll system, or something, because their economy is in a shambles.” Eyre further cautioned that “the blockade is hurting Iran, but it’s hurting Iran on the scale of months, whereas the closure of the strait is much more immediate and much more urgent,” referring to the US blockade on Iranian ports and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran war news LIVE: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and “increasingly engaging” in discussions related to negotiations, though mostly through indirect channels and written communication rather than public appearances. He noted that Khamenei has not been seen publicly since being injured in earlier US-Israeli strikes, which also killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran war news LIVE: Five people, including a child, were killed and 45 others injured in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes reportedly hit Burj Shemali, Ebba, and Tibnin.

Iran war news LIVE: Kuwait reports active response to missile and drone strikes, says sounds heard nationwide are from intercepts

Iran war news LIVE: The US has imposed sanctions on Iran’s largest digital asset exchange Nobitex and three other firms as part of its ongoing effort to pressure Iran over the conflict with the US and Israel. The Treasury says Nobitex handled more than half of Iran’s crypto income last year and helped move money to bypass sanctions. US officials accuse Iran of using digital assets to hide wealth and fund activities despite restrictions, while Iran-linked media reports suggest ceasefire talks with mediators have stalled. The sanctions are part of a wider US campaign that also targets countries and companies doing business with Iran.

Iran war news LIVE: The US military said on Tuesday that it disabled the Botswana-flagged oil tanker M/T Lexie after the vessel attempted to sail toward Iran’s Kharg Island. The brief statement did not provide details on how the tanker was disabled or whether any injuries were reported. Kharg Island is Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf.

Iran war news LIVE: US-sponsored talks between Israeli and Lebanese representatives concluded their first day at the State Department in Washington, DC, as tensions continued to escalate on the ground.

At least eight people were reported killed in Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah said it launched drones targeting two Israeli military armoured vehicles and two tanks in the south. Meanwhile, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said many nuclear activities in Iran have now stopped. In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress that Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and "increasingly engaging".

Iran war news LIVE: The first day of talks between Lebanese and Israeli representatives concluded in Washington on Tuesday, according to reports. The discussions are expected to continue in the coming days as mediators seek progress on outstanding disputes.

Iran war news LIVE: Four Palestinian women were detained by Israeli forces on Tuesday, bringing the total number held in Israeli prisons to 89, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society. The group said those in custody include three minors, three pregnant women, 19 administrative detainees and three women diagnosed with cancer.

Iran war news LIVE: The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has said that its vessel, Sariska V, was struck by two projectiles at Iraq's Umm Qasr port, calling the attack "completely unjustified" and rejecting claims by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that the ship was linked to the United States or Israel.

The IRGC said it targeted the vessel in retaliation for an attack on an Iranian ship near Oman. MSC said that it is a neutral commercial carrier based in Switzerland and wholly owned by Italian nationals, with no affiliation to either country. The attack was first reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which did not identify the vessel.

Iran war news LIVE: Israeli air strikes targeted several towns in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh governorate, including Dibbine, Haddatha and Qaqaiyat al-Jisr, according to local reports.

Iran war news LIVE: IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said many of the nuclear activities that were previously taking place in Iran have now stopped, reflecting what he described as a “fundamental change” in the assessment of Tehran’s nuclear programme following months of war and repeated strikes on nuclear-related facilities.