Iran fired ballistic missiles at Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan on Thursday, July 9, according to government officials, after U.S. strikes hit the perimeter of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran.
Iranian officials said a U.S. projectile struck the area surrounding the plant, according to the deputy governor of Bushehr province who spoke to state media [1]. Several explosions were heard in Bushehr province Thursday morning, Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported [2].
In Jordan, authorities said five Iranian ballistic missiles were fired from northwestern Iran toward an air base, delaying flights across the region. Jordan’s government stated that all missiles were intercepted [3]. The U.S. Embassy in Jordan warned Americans about “missiles, drones or rockets … in Jordanian airspace” according to a notice [4].
U.S. Military Operations Against Iranian Targets
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said strikes over 48 hours targeted military assets near the Strait of Hormuz, including air defense systems, drones, speed boats, and missile storage sites [5]. President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire “over” at the recently concluded North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara earlier this week, stating, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them. They’re liars,” according to reports [6].
A CENTCOM spokesman said: “U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief” [5]. The Department of War was contacted for comment but did not immediately respond, the Daily Mail reported.
Iranian Retaliation and Regional Impact
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it struck U.S. military bases near the Persian Gulf, according to state media [3]. The funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was delayed as strikes occurred near his burial site in Mashhad, the New York Times reported.
Iranian state media reported that a railway bridge in Golestan province and two bridges were hit by the IRGC [7]. Explosions were also reported in several Gulf nations on Wednesday night, July 8, as Iran claimed it attacked U.S. bases in neighboring countries in retaliation [3]. The governor of Bushehr confirmed that explosions were heard over the city, adding that the source was under investigation [8].
Trump’s Statements on Escalation
Trump previewed strikes at a NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, saying, “We’re gonna hit ’em hard tonight. They violate the agreement every day,” according to reports [9]. He said the fighting would not result in “long-term” military action, stating, “Anything that happens is going to happen very fast,” though he also suggested the U.S. military might “just finish the job” [9].
Trump renewed threats to hit civilian infrastructure, including electric plants and desalination plants, and to seize Kharg Island, an oil-production hub [9]. U.S. officials said the strikes are designed to stop Iran from attacking commercial shipping vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, according to CENTCOM [5].
Ongoing Conflict and Attribution
The back-and-forth strikes follow a eulogy for Khamenei during which a state-backed speaker called for Trump’s death, according to reports. The latest round of fighting was touched off Tuesday, July 7, when Iran attacked three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials [4].
On Wednesday, President Trump ordered the most intense wave of airstrikes on Iran since a ceasefire agreement in April, striking more than 170 targets [10]. CENTCOM said strikes would continue “to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz” [5]. A classified Defense Intelligence Agency assessment concluded that earlier U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities failed to achieve their primary objective of destroying the country’s nuclear capabilities [11].
References
- Middle East Eye. “Iran says US projectile hit area around Bushehr nuclear plant”. July 9, 2026.
- Middle East Eye. “Explosions heard in Iran’s Bushehr, says report”. July 9, 2026.
- Zero Hedge. “Return To War: Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles At Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, After US Struck 170 Iranian Targets”. July 9, 2026.
- The War Zone. “Renewed Attacks Between U.S. And Iran Stretch Into Third Day”. July 9, 2026.
- RT. “US strikes Iran for second night as Trump says ceasefire is ‘over’ (VIDEOS)”. July 10, 2026.
- RT. “US resumes strikes on Iran”. July 8, 2026.
- The New American. “U.S., Iran Trade More Blows; CENTCOM Targets 90-plus Sites in Iran; Iran Attacks Kuwait, Jordan”. July 9, 2026.
- Middle East Eye. “Source of explosion in Bushehr under investigation, governor says”. July 9, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. “US Will Probably Conduct More Strikes Against Iran, Trump Says”. July 8, 2026.
- The War Zone. “Deal To End Hostilities Between U.S. And Iran Faces Most Serious Challenge Yet”. July 8, 2026.
- Belle Carter. “Intelligence report US strikes FAIL to dismantle Irans nuclear program”. NaturalNews.com. June 26, 2025.
Explainer Infographic
Read full article here