WASHINGTON-TEHRAN, July 16. /Dunyo IA/. The United States and Iran exchanged a new round of military strikes, expanding the scope of their confrontation and further escalating tensions in the Middle East, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing the BBC.

According to Iranian side, strikes were carried out against military targets in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, hitting American communications systems and fuel facilities.

In response, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had conducted a six-hour series of strikes against multiple locations in Iran. The attacks targeted command centers, air defence sites, and coastal surveillance systems, including facilities near the port of Bandar Abbas and on Greater Tunb Island.

Iranian media also reported explosions in the country’s northern regions and the activation of air defence systems in Tehran. Shortly afterward, Kuwait announced that it had intercepted missiles, while authorities in Bahrain urged residents to remain calm and move to shelters.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran that it should “better behave” or face further military action. He also said the United States could target Iran’s energy infrastructure if the country does not return to negotiations.

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran “sees no reason” to abide by an agreement that does not serve the country’s interests. He added that Iran’s security depends on maintaining control over the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned the United States that it could also close other oil and gas export routes that “serve the interests of the United States and its allies,” although it did not specify which routes were being referred to. The statement is widely understood to be referring to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Amid the ongoing confrontation, President Donald Trump also welcomed Iran’s release of U.S. citizen Dena Karari, detained in December 2024 on espionage charges, describing it as a “gesture of goodwill.” Her attorney said she is already on her way back to the United States.

Recently, Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator, said it would continue to push for a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and seek the resumption of negotiations under a memorandum of understanding signed last month.

However, Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia warned that “If U.S. aggression continues, the war will be expanded to new arenas.” Earlier, American leader claimed that Tehran had asked Washington to continue negotiations, but Iranian officials denied this claim.