Archive · 3 Sep 2026
US and Iran Resume Strikes, Raising Fears of Regional War
The United States and Iran started attacking each other again after several quieter weeks.
The United States said it hit Iranian military equipment and communication sites.
Iran said it attacked American bases and other positions in several nearby countries.
Some countries said they stopped missiles or drones from reaching their targets.
Iran said a wedding near the Strait of Hormuz was hit, but reports disagreed about the exact number of people killed and injured.
The United States said it does not target civilians and had not confirmed the wedding report.
Iran threatened to respond with larger attacks.
President Donald Trump said the United States was in a stronger position and could strike again.
The fighting also created new worries about ships and oil traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air defenses, radar, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communications sites.
Iran said it attacked United States positions in Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, while claiming American casualties that Washington and Iraq did not confirm.
Jordan reported intercepting 10 of 13 ballistic missiles, Bahrain said it destroyed Iranian drones, and Kuwait reported a fire at a drone-hit residential complex.
Iranian authorities reported civilian casualties at a wedding near Sirik, with accounts ranging from four to five deaths and from 50 to 68 injuries; another official report gave wider totals of 18 dead and 108 injured.
The exchange, the most serious since July, renewed threats, disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and intensified pressure on both sides.
- Who
- The United States, Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and regional countries including Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar were involved or affected.
- What
- The United States and Iran exchanged their most serious attacks since July, with strikes on military sites and reported civilian casualties.
- When
- The main exchange occurred on Tuesday, September 2, with reports describing renewed hostilities on Wednesday.
- Where
- Strikes and defensive actions were reported in Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Erbil, and near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- The attacks followed the wider conflict that began with United States strikes on Iran in February and ended a period of reduced fighting without renewed negotiations.
Iranian Claims and Position
United States and Allied Responses
Civilian casualties
Iranian Claims and Position
Iran said United States strikes hit a wedding near Sirik, killing four or five people and wounding dozens, and described the incident as part of a broader pattern of atrocities.
United States and Allied Responses
The United States said its military never targets civilians, and officials had not confirmed the wedding account or issued a final public finding on the related Minab school blast.
Attacks on United States forces
Iranian Claims and Position
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its attacks in Jordan and northern Iraq killed a large number or several United States personnel.
United States and Allied Responses
United States officials said initial assessments found no casualties in Jordan, while the United States and Iraq had not confirmed the reported Erbil casualties.
Future escalation
Iranian Claims and Position
Iran warned that continued United States actions would bring heavier and more widespread responses and consequences for countries cooperating with Washington.
United States and Allied Responses
Donald Trump said the United States was in a stronger position, described Iran's economy as collapsing, and said Washington was prepared to launch another attack.
- United States targets
- United States Central Command said it struck Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air-defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities, and communications facilities.
- Iranian targets and claims
- Iran said it attacked United States assets in Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and claimed American personnel were killed in Jordan and northern Iraq. United States and Iraqi officials did not confirm those casualty claims.
- Regional defenses
- Jordan said 13 ballistic missiles entered its airspace, with 10 intercepted and three falling in remote areas. Bahrain said Iranian drones were intercepted and destroyed.
- Reported wedding casualties
- The Iranian Red Crescent reported five deaths and 50 injuries near Sirik, while Iranian media reported four deaths and as many as 68 injuries. Another Iranian health-ministry report gave overall latest-strike figures of 18 dead and 108 injured.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran said two tankers were struck by mines, while the United States said it was guiding ships through the strait. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said more than 17 million barrels of oil exited the waterway on Monday.
- Iranian shipping restrictions
- Iran blacklisted 11 additional ships, bringing the reported total to 56 vessels potentially subject to fines, confiscation, or detention if they sailed through the strait without Tehran's permission.
- Pressure on both sides
- Reports said Iran's economy and conventional military had been weakened, while the United States faced higher fuel prices and concerns about military readiness after using much of its stockpile of accurate long-range missiles.
