US-Iran attacks spread to Kuwait and Bahrain; Trump again threatens to destroy Iran.

(Washington/Tehran) U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday accused Iran of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement and warned that if Iran did not stop, the United States would be forced to resume hostilities and destroy it. The U.S. military launched its second consecutive day of attacks on Iran in retaliation for Iranian raids on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran subsequently retaliated by bombing U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi warned on Sunday that any attempt to interfere with Iran's administration of the Strait of Hormuz would only escalate tensions and delay the reopening of the strait. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed to take a tougher stance against vessels violating regulations and threatened "hellish" strikes against US military bases.

On Saturday (June 27), Trump posted on social media that U.S. warplanes had just struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites , as well as coastal radar stations, because Iran had once again violated the ceasefire agreement.

He wrote: "They may never learn their lesson. Perhaps one day we will no longer be able to remain rational and will be forced to use military force to complete the work we have already started. If that happens, Iran will cease to exist!"

According to a statement from U.S. Central Command, U.S. warplanes struck Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense positions, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying capabilities on Saturday in response to Iran’s continued aggression against merchant ships.

The statement said that Iran could have resumed compliance with the ceasefire agreement after being attacked by the US military the previous day for attacking the container ship Ever Lovely. However, it chose not to do so and instead launched another drone attack on the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Kiku early Saturday morning Eastern Time.

The statement emphasized that merchant ships are still passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. military will remain on high alert and be ready to take action at any time.

Iran countered by accusing the United States of violating the ceasefire and warning that this would lead to a complete halt to all diplomatic processes. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced on Sunday (28th) that Iranian missiles and drones destroyed the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait and eight key US military facilities belonging to the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The Bahraini military said on Sunday that its air defense system intercepted and destroyed missiles and drones originating from Iran. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the same day, condemning the Iranian attack on Kuwait in the strongest terms.

During his visit to Iraq on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi emphasized that, according to the memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran, the responsibility for resuming navigation in the Strait of Hormuz lies entirely with Tehran. "Any intervention or unilateral action will exacerbate the situation and delay the reopening of the strait," he said.

Analysts believe the struggle for control of the Strait of Hormuz could hinder negotiations between the US and Iran on a final ceasefire agreement. H.A. Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute told AFP, "Iran is likely to continue planned, low-intensity coercive actions in and around the Strait of Hormuz… to maintain pressure on international shipping while avoiding a larger-scale conflict."

Herre pointed out that with the US midterm elections in November fast approaching, Washington prefers a quick agreement; however, for Iran, protracted negotiations are more advantageous.

On Sunday, Araghzi reiterated that the United States has a responsibility to abide by all the terms of the armistice memorandum of understanding, including requiring Israel to cease its attacks on Lebanon and withdraw from the controlled areas in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese media reported that Israel launched a new round of attacks on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese towns of Deir Seryan and Taybeh on Sunday. The Israeli military claimed that soldiers were killed by Hezbollah members in Deir Seryan that day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized on Saturday that the trilateral framework agreement signed by Israel, Lebanon, and the United States on Friday (26th) stipulates that Israel will not withdraw its troops as long as Hezbollah in Lebanon remains armed.

He also warned that if Iran attempts to attack Israel to prevent the agreement from being implemented, the Israeli military will respond with overwhelming force.

Hezbollah leader Qasim stated that the trilateral framework agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States was invalid and betrayed Lebanese sovereignty, thus legitimizing Israel's occupation of Lebanese territory.

Source: [Lianhe Zaobao] (https://www.zaobao.com/news/world/story20260628-9279225)