US and Iran exchange new strikes on July 9, with Tehran targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar

Summary

The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early on July 9 and Tehran responded by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, a regional crossfire that again threatened the June 2026 interim deal meant to end the war. US Central Command said the strikes were carried out "to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz." The exchange follows the July 8 second-wave strikes and Trump's declaration at the NATO summit in Ankara that the ceasefire was 'over'.

Trump threatened to resume the naval blockade, launch more strikes, and "take over" Kharg Island. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the US attacks "absolutely necessary." Both sides accused the other of violating the June memorandum of understanding. Gulf News described the situation as a reignition of the war as the ceasefire collapses, with fresh fears over Hormuz shipping and global oil supplies.

The split

AP framed the July 9 exchange as a continuation of escalating fire that "again threatened" the interim deal, emphasising the deal's fragility. Gulf News, writing for UAE readers in Iran's neighbourhood, described it as a full ceasefire collapse and foregrounded Hormuz supply risk. Al Jazeera's analysis focused on the MOU breakdown, holding both sides equally responsible for the resumption. Fox News led with NATO's endorsement of US military action and the oil sanctions revocation as separate escalatory steps.

By the numbers

• 3, Gulf Arab states Iran targeted in response: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar
• 1, revoked sanction: the US rescinded Iran's oil sanctions waiver after the exchanges resumed

Why it matters

The July 9 exchange expands the geographic scope of retaliation from the July 8 round and signals that neither side is willing to absorb strikes without responding against Gulf states, raising the risk that countries hosting US bases are drawn further into a conflict not of their choosing. Qatar's position is especially delicate: it has been targeted while also serving as a mediator between the US and Iran. The NATO Ankara summit closed with alliance members publicly backing US military action, narrowing the diplomatic space for de-escalation.

What to watch

• Whether the June MOU is formally declared void by either side or a new framework is proposed
• Bahrain and Kuwait's diplomatic responses, and whether they invoke US defense treaty obligations
• Qatar's ability to maintain its mediating role after being targeted
• Whether US Central Command expands the list of Iranian targets beyond Hormuz-related sites