US-Iran Ceasefire: Escalation Intensifies in 72 Hours Amid Strikes and Threats

Nine days ago, a memorandum was signed by two presidents, marking the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. This development initially brought a sense of relief to the global community. However, the situation has rapidly deteriorated, with two cargo ships struck in the Strait of Hormuz, consecutive US airstrikes on Iranian positions, missile attacks targeting military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, and the tragic death of a Qatari citizen due to shrapnel. Amid these escalating tensions, President Trump has issued a stark warning, threatening to obliterate an entire nation. Despite these events, the ceasefire remains technically in effect, raising questions about its sustainability in light of recent hostilities.

June 27: A Second Ship and a Second Strike

The escalation began with the attack on the Ever Lovely on June 25, but it did not stop there. Following initial strikes by US Central Command (CENTCOM), Iran had an opportunity to adhere to the ceasefire but chose not to. On June 27 at 4:30 AM, Iranian forces launched a drone attack that struck the M/T Kiku, a Panamanian-flagged tanker carrying over 2 million barrels of crude oil near the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, CENTCOM executed a broader series of airstrikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure, including surveillance systems, communication networks, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and minelayer capabilities. Concurrently, the Joint Maritime Information Center, managed by the US Navy, announced the widening of a maritime route near Oman to facilitate increased naval traffic, directly challenging Iran’s claim of exclusive control over the Strait.

Bahrain reported drone incursions into its airspace on the same day. The Bahraini Foreign Ministry condemned these actions as blatant violations of its sovereignty, attributing the responsibility for undermining peace efforts to Tehran.

June 28: Iran Strikes Kuwait and Bahrain

The situation escalated further in the early hours of June 28, when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it had launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting the US Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait and the US Fifth Naval Fleet at Port Salman in Bahrain. The IRGC claimed to have destroyed eight significant US military facilities at these bases, warning that any aggression from enemies would elicit a severe response.

The attacks were not limited to military installations; a residential building in Muharraq, Bahrain, was also struck by an Iranian drone, prompting civil defense and rescue operations. Air raid sirens were activated in Bahrain for the second time that day.

Qatar condemned the Iranian strikes and initiated a search and rescue operation for a coastguard vessel that had gone missing. The Qatari Ministry of Interior later confirmed the death of a citizen due to shrapnel injuries sustained during the military operations.

Kuwait characterized the Iranian actions as gross violations of its sovereignty. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) echoed this sentiment, condemning the attacks on both Kuwait and Bahrain as direct threats to their security and stability. On the same day, US aircraft targeted five additional Iranian coastal positions, marking the third round of US strikes within 72 hours.

President Trump escalated his rhetoric on June 28, stating, “There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”

US-Iran Ceasefire: The Route Dispute That Is Driving Everything

At the core of these military exchanges lies a contentious and unresolved issue. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that the US must compel Israel to cease its attacks and withdraw from Lebanon, asserting that Tehran must have exclusive governance over the Strait. He warned that any attempts to establish new arrangements outside of Iran’s current control would exacerbate tensions and delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The memorandum’s Article 5 mandates Iran to facilitate safe passage for commercial vessels, yet it lacks clarity regarding the specific routes, authority, and costs involved. This ambiguity has become the focal point of conflict since the escalation began on June 25.

US-Iran Ceasefire: Where It Stands on June 29

As of June 29, a senior US administration official confirmed that technical discussions regarding the memorandum are proceeding as planned, with no meetings canceled. Ship traffic through the Strait has continued despite the heightened threat, with 89 US-assisted commercial transits reported in recent days. However, this number remains below the historical average of 138 vessels per day.

Iran’s parliamentary Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, called for the establishment of a conflict control unit involving Iran, the United States, and Lebanon to mitigate the risk of unintended escalations. Both Egypt and Qatar emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic negotiations and implementing agreed-upon measures to de-escalate tensions.

The US-Iran ceasefire has endured multiple ship attacks, three rounds of US airstrikes, Iranian missile strikes against two Gulf states, the death of a Qatari civilian, and a presidential threat to annihilate a nation. The future of this ceasefire hinges on whether both parties can find a diplomatic resolution rather than a justification for further escalation.

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Published on 2026-06-29 13:56:00 • By the Editorial Desk