US strikes Iranian radar sites near Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire frays; Iran retaliates against Kuwait and Bahrain

US strikes on Iranian radar sites

American forces carried out strikes on Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites on Saturday 6 June, according to footage released by the US military. The strikes followed the downing of four Iranian attack drones that the US Central Command said posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic. Tehran denounced the action as a flagrant violation of the ceasefire in effect since 8 April.

Iranian drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic.

Drone and missile exchanges

On Sunday, Centcom announced it had shot down two additional Iranian one-way attack drones threatening international shipping in the strategic waterway. The US military said it remains vigilant and ready to defend against Iranian aggression. In retaliation for the radar strikes, Iran launched a salvo of missiles at military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain, both US allies. American forces intercepted six ballistic missiles; a seventh missed its target.

Earlier today, US forces in the Middle East shot down two Iranian one-way attack drones that were threatening international maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanon front intensifies

Hostilities also continued in Lebanon, where the Israeli army bombed homes in Saksakiyah in the south of the country. The IDF said it struck approximately 150 Hezbollah positions within 48 hours. The escalation came after Hezbollah rejected a new ceasefire agreement negotiated between Lebanon and Israel earlier in the week.

Lebanese president urges Hezbollah to negotiate

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun pressed Hezbollah to end the fighting, stating that negotiation and diplomacy are the only path to resolving the conflict and saving what remains. Tehran, meanwhile, is demanding that any agreement with Washington encompass an end to hostilities on Lebanese soil between Israel and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah must understand that there is no other way than to sit down and talk. No other way to resolve this problem and save what remains except through negotiation and diplomacy.

Stalled indirect talks

Washington and Tehran have been engaged in indirect talks for several weeks aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, but the negotiations show no sign of progress. The renewed military exchanges around the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing Lebanon front underscore the fragility of the April ceasefire.