Israel warned on Sunday that it would conduct a forceful military response if Iranian missiles reach its borders, escalating concerns about a return to direct regional conflict. The threat came after Iran launched ballistic missiles at US-allied states including Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain, striking civilian infrastructure such as power and desalination facilities for the second consecutive day. Jordan reported intercepting three Iranian missiles, while Israeli officials stated that strikes could potentially spread across its borders.
The escalation marked a significant deterioration in a previously constrained regional situation. Since April, direct military exchanges between Iran and Israel had remained relatively limited due to diplomatic efforts centered on maintaining a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz for oil commerce. The current offensive represented a departure from that period of reduced hostilities.
US military operations intensified in parallel, with the Pentagon reporting an eighth consecutive day of strikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, including air defense systems, maritime capabilities, and weapons storage sites. The strikes were conducted following the deaths of two US soldiers in Iranian attacks on a Jordanian airbase, with a third soldier reported missing. US officials indicated additional military reinforcements, including refueling aircraft, would be deployed to the region.
The targeting of civilian infrastructure by both sides drew international concern. Kuwait’s government condemned the repeated strikes against desalination plants as violations of international law, while Iran accused the United States of attacking a nuclear power plant under construction. The International Atomic Energy Agency urged military restraint near nuclear facilities. Iran reported over 40 deaths from attacks conducted during the month.
Tensions also mounted in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian officials reported two vessels experienced incidents while using unauthorized shipping routes. The escalation prompted responses from affected regional governments, with Jordan summoning Iran’s diplomatic representative to lodge formal complaints about what it characterized as unjustified attacks and inflammatory rhetoric.
Originally reported by The Guardian. Read the full story →