United States and Iran Trade Strikes on Sixth Day, Iran Targets US Facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan

The United States and Iran exchanged strikes for a sixth consecutive day on July 16 as the two sides fought over control of the Strait of Hormuz. US forces carried out evening strikes on Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. The targets included locations in Bandar Abbas and Greater Tunb Island.

Iranian state media reported that Iranian forces launched drone attacks on US facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Kuwait's military said it intercepted the drone attacks. Bahrain's interior ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place.

Iran's government said at least 30 people have been killed in Iran since the renewed US attacks began last week. Iranian military officials said seven personnel died in a missile strike at a barracks near Iranshahr during seven hours of US raids on Wednesday. An Iranian military spokesman warned that Iran would "crush" regional infrastructure if the United States attacks key Iranian facilities.

Pakistan said it would encourage the United States and Iran to stop attacks and resume talks under a memorandum of understanding it helped mediate last month. Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan's foreign office spokesman, spoke to reporters in Islamabad. "While the implementation of the MoU is facing challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all sides to end violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the MoU," Andrabi said.

The renewed fighting follows a preliminary deal signed a month earlier that aimed to end the conflict.