Iran retaliates, strikes American bases on World Cup eve

Iran on Wednesday attacked American bases in Jordan and Bahrain, deepening fears of a wider Middle East conflict on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The strikes came after the United States carried out attacks on Iran in response to the downing of an American Apache helicopter, further straining a ceasefire that had been in place since April.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they fired long-range missiles at US targets in Jordan and also struck an American base in Bahrain.

The escalation drew international calls for restraint, with the United States co-hosting the World Cup and Iran also participating in the tournament.

Iran also warned its Gulf neighbours that they had a “legal and moral responsibility” to stop the United States and Israel from using their territory to launch or support attacks against the Islamic Republic.

In Bahrain, an AFP correspondent in Manama said several loud explosions were heard after Iranian forces claimed they had hit a US base in the country.

Jordan’s military said it shot down five missiles, adding that there were no casualties or material damage.

Bahrain also said it intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial attacks, while Kuwait’s military said its air defences were engaging “hostile aerial targets.”

Iran’s foreign ministry said countries in the region, especially those along the southern shores of the Persian Gulf, must prevent their territories or facilities from being used to plan, organise, execute or support hostile actions against Tehran.

The latest Iranian strikes followed a US military operation which President Donald Trump described as a strong response to Iran’s downing of an American helicopter.

US Central Command, CENTCOM, said on X that it had struck Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier warned that Tehran would leave no attack or threat unanswered.

The renewed exchange has cast doubt on Trump’s claim that negotiations to end the Middle East war were in their “final throes.”

Asked earlier whether a deal could come within days or weeks, Trump said it would take “two or three days.”

But after the downing of the helicopter on Monday, Trump said in a telephone interview with ABC News that the United States was responding “in a strong manner.”

The flare-up has also triggered concern from Russia and China, both allies of Iran.

A Russian foreign ministry spokesperson said Moscow was “extremely concerned” about the new round of US-Iranian armed confrontation and urged both sides to exercise restraint.

China’s foreign ministry also called on the warring parties to stop escalating the conflict and take concrete steps to cool tensions.

The ceasefire had already faced a serious test over the weekend when Iran and Israel briefly resumed attacks before later announcing a halt.

Iran has insisted that any deal to end the war must include a truce in Lebanon, which was drawn into the conflict after Iran-backed Hezbollah militants fired rockets at Israel on March 2.

Israel responded with a campaign of airstrikes and a ground invasion that has killed more than 3,600 people.

Lebanese officials said 11 people were killed in airstrikes on the southern city of Tyre on Tuesday, while the Israeli military warned the entire city to evacuate.

The renewed fighting has also overshadowed efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway for global fuel supplies which Iran has blockaded since the start of the war.

Crude oil prices rose one percent on Wednesday as hopes of a quick deal faded.

Araghchi on Tuesday urged foreign forces to leave the strait and surrounding areas, warning that they remained at “constant risk” if they stayed close to Iranian territory.

“Foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk. The best solution is for them to leave,” he said.

The Apache helicopter is the second crewed aircraft Washington has confirmed losing during the war, following the loss of an F-15 fighter jet in April.

CENTCOM said the two crew members were rescued after the helicopter went down near the coast of Oman.