US and Iran trade strikes as ceasefire comes under renewed strain

US and Iran trade strikes as ceasefire comes under renewed strain Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 06/11/2026 - 10:39 US forces target Iran-linked shipping through Hormuz strait as IRGC hits US-linked military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan An image grab from a video released by the US Central Command on 11 June 2026 shows what the military says are strikes targeting "Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communications systems and air defense sites" (AFP/ US Centcom) Off The United States and Iran exchanged strikes on Wednesday and Thursday, placing a fragile April ceasefire under its most serious strain yet and drawing several Gulf states directly into the latest round of escalation. The renewed hostilities followed the downing of an American helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, after which Washington launched strikes on Iranian military infrastructure. US officials said the attacks were aimed at Iranian surveillance, communications and air defence systems that posed a threat to American forces and commercial shipping in regional waters.