U.S. and Iran exchange intensifying fire across Mideast, threatening ceasefire deal
The United States and Iran have engaged in an escalating exchange of airstrikes and missile attacks, threatening a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East. The conflict has resulted in casualties and raised concerns about regional stability and global energy security.
Why it matters
This escalation risks a wider regional war that could disrupt global energy supplies and destabilize international relations.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, and Tehran responded by targeting U.S.-allied Mideast countries in an exchange of fire that threatened an interim deal intended to help end the war in the Middle East.
Back-and-forth attacks, including a day earlier, have repeatedly threatened the ceasefire. But Thursday's appeared bigger all around, with sirens sounding at least three times in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters, and missiles targeting Kuwait and Qatar.
Climate The Iran war has pushed some countries away from oil and toward clean energy Sirens sounded Thursday afternoon in Jordan as well, where the U.S. has stationed troops and aircraft.
An Iranian official accused the U.S. of launching an airstrike later Thursday targeting the area around Iran's sole nuclear power plant, and other explosions were reported elsewhere in the country during the afternoon.
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