US struck Iranian positions, Iran targeted American bases in the Middle East

(Patria) - The United States struck Iranian radar positions after downing drones, while Tehran claims it responded with missiles targeting US military bases in the region.

US forces on Saturday struck Iranian coastal radar positions after shooting down drones that Iran launched toward the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said. This is the latest escalation further complicating efforts to end the war between the two countries.

The military believes four Iranian drones were aimed at regional maritime traffic, a US official told Reuters. US Central Command (CENTCOM) posted on platform X that strikes were subsequently carried out on Iranian surveillance positions in Goruk and on Qeshm Island, located along the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced it had struck American bases in the region with missiles in response to US attacks and that it opened fire on four tankers attempting to pass through the strait without its permission.

Kuwait's air defense intercepted missile and drone attacks of unknown origin, state media reported, while sirens sounded in Bahrain and the population was advised to seek shelter. Iran claims it hit US bases in both countries with ballistic missiles, but the US military says six missiles were intercepted while a seventh did not reach its target.

The United States and Iran are conducting mostly indirect negotiations aimed at reaching a temporary agreement to halt the three-month war, while issues such as Iran's nuclear program would be left for later talks.

However, despite occasional clashes, an agreement remains elusive.

As part of a possible deal, Tehran is seeking access to billions of dollars in oil revenue, exemptions from sanctions on crude oil exports, the lifting of the US blockade on its ports, and greater influence over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively blocked passage through the strait, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil trade passed before the war.

US President Donald Trump faces growing domestic political pressure over rising fuel prices and demands to end the unpopular war. In an interview with NBC, he said most of Iran's missile and drone production capacity has been destroyed, but that Iran still retains roughly one-fifth of its missile arsenal.

- They still have some missiles, they have drones too. Percentage-wise, I would say they have about 21 to 22 percent of their missiles left. That's still a lot of missiles, but nowhere near what they had when we first struck, Trump said on the show "Meet the Press," according to information NBC released on Friday.

Asked why Iranian leaders, if they are truly in as dire a situation as he describes, are not more willing to reach a deal, Trump replied:

"Because they are strong. They are proud. There are things they never thought they would have to do, but now they have no choice. Still, it takes some time."

After the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, Tehran fired missiles and drones at Gulf states hosting US military bases and largely halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict has driven up oil prices and disrupted supply chains for other goods. The United Nations World Food Program warned on Friday that rising fuel and transport costs are pushing millions of people closer to hunger.