Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
The preliminary peace agreement signed by the United States and Iran less than a month ago came under increasing strain on Thursday as both sides exchanged attacks for a third consecutive day, with military operations extending across several countries in the Middle East.
Iran's armed forces announced retaliatory strikes against US military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan following what Tehran described as large-scale American attacks earlier in the day.
According to the Iranian military, Patriot missile systems and drones were targeted in Kuwait, satellite-linked early warning facilities in Qatar, and US military fuel storage sites in Bahrain. Jordan reported that its air defences intercepted eight Iranian missiles before they reached their targets, adding that there were no casualties.
The Iranian response followed the largest wave of US airstrikes since a ceasefire came into effect on April 8. While many of the attacks focused on the area surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, US forces also struck sites elsewhere in Iran.
Explosions were reported near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, with early reports suggesting the outer perimeter of the facility had been hit. The Ak Tahek Khan railway bridge in northeastern Iran was also attacked. The bridge connects Tehran with Mashhad and forms part of a key transport route for goods arriving from China through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
Iranian officials said at least 14 people, including three members of the Revolutionary Guards, had been killed during two days of US bombing, while 78 others were injured.
US President Donald Trump defended the military action in a post on Truth Social, describing Thursday as "a day of punishment" for previous Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that any future attacks would bring an even stronger response.
At the same time, Trump suggested diplomacy remained possible, saying Iran was eager to reach an agreement. Tehran has not publicly backed that claim.
Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded on social media, accusing Washington of abandoning its commitments and insisting that intimidation would no longer go unanswered.
He also declared that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would operate only under conditions set by Iran rather than through American pressure.
The Revolutionary Guards later issued a separate statement insisting that foreign powers have no authority over the strategic waterway and warning that any US attempt to establish maritime routes outside Iran's control would receive what they described as a decisive response.
Iranian sources claimed that no large commercial vessel crossed the Strait of Hormuz during the previous 24 hours without Tehran's approval. They also said there had been no attempts by US Navy ships to escort merchant vessels. Commercial traffic through the passage has fallen sharply because of the fighting, affecting international markets.
Despite the continued exchanges of fire, neither Washington nor Tehran has formally declared the ceasefire over, leaving open the possibility that negotiations could resume.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held telephone discussions on Thursday with his counterparts in Turkey and Oman, two countries involved in mediation efforts together with Pakistan and Qatar.
Meanwhile, thousands gathered in the holy city of Mashhad for the burial of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on the opening day of the conflict.
The funeral procession was delayed for several hours because of the size of the crowds, while MiG-29 fighter aircraft patrolled overhead for security.
Outside the Imam Reza shrine, where Khamenei was buried, a large banner reading "Kill Trump" was displayed and many mourners repeated the slogan.
The six-day funeral concluded without an appearance by Khamenei's son and designated successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, adding to continuing speculation over his health and his ability to lead the country during the current crisis.
