The United States launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran into Thursday morning after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations, and Iran responded with strikes targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

US Strikes Iran

The new U.S. assault across multiple Iranian cities came as efforts to negotiate an end to the war again appeared stuck, with Iran insisting it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher.

The American attack appeared more intense and wider than the day before, but Iran released little information on the extent of the damage. Kuwait closed its airspace for several hours because of the Thursday morning attack, but did not elaborate on any damage.

Iran Fires Back

Jordan said it intercepted 20 Iranian missiles fired toward an area that is home to an air base hosting U.S. troops, though no one was hurt. And in Bahrain, the Interior Ministry said an 11-year-old girl had been hurt and cars and homes were damaged by “falling debris” from interceptions responding to the Iranian attack.

The U.S. Central Command said its latest round of airstrikes ended just before sunrise Thursday in Iran. The military command said the strikes came “in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression” and targeted “Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites.”

Trump has urged Iran to sign a deal to end the war and suggested earlier this week that an agreement could be reached in days. But Iran has proved resilient despite weeks of heavy bombing. It is betting that its ability to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial passageway for oil and natural gas — gives it a strong bargaining chip.

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.