The ceasefire between the United States and Iran came under renewed strain after Iran launched retaliatory attacks against American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait following fresh US military strikes.

According to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), missiles and drones targeted key US installations, including bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, while Iranian officials also claimed to have shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone.Air raid sirens sounded in both countries, although US military authorities did not immediately comment on the reported attacks.

Earlier, US Central Command announced that it had carried out extensive strikes against Iranian military assets, including command centres, air defence systems, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile capabilities and more than 60 IRGC vessels.

Washington said the operation was a response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and described Iran's actions as a violation of the existing ceasefire arrangement.

Iran, however, accused the United States of breaching the memorandum of understanding agreed the previous month and warned that further US military activity would provoke a stronger response.

Iranian state media reported explosions at several locations, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Qeshm Island and Kharg Island, with officials reporting injuries but no confirmed civilian deaths.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the renewed US strikes as a necessary response to Iranian actions while reaffirming Washington's commitment to the alliance.

At the same time, some prominent former supporters of Donald Trump's MAGA movement criticised the decision to resume military operations, arguing that it contradicted the president's long-standing pledge to avoid prolonged foreign conflicts.

The developments have further heightened tensions across the Gulf region and raised concerns about the stability of maritime security and international energy supplies.