Egypt slams Iranian attacks on Arab states; US completes second day of strikes on Iran

CAIRO – 11 June 2026: Egypt condemned “sinful” Iranian attacks on three Arab countries on Thursday as the US completed the second day of strikes on Iranian targets and Tehran fired retaliatory strikes across the region.

The Egyptian foreign ministry said the repeated attacks on Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait constitutes a grave escalation that threatens regional security and stability and heightens tensions.

The US army announced early today launching additional “self-defense” strikes against multiple targets in Iran, targeting military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites.

Explosions from the US strikes were reportedly heard around the capital Tehran, as well Bandar Abbas and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation involved marine corps, air force, and navy assets, striking Iranian targets that "posed a threat to US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters."

USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) missile destroyer launches Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of strikes against Iran on June 11, 2026. US Navy video/still image

In response, Iran fired attacks targeting the US military installations in each of Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait for the second day in a row.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) claimed destroying a “significant number” of US fighter jets and facilities after firing a dozen ballistic missiles at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Airbase.

In Bahrain, the interior ministry said an 11-year-old girl sustained minor injuries in the attacks, which triggered air raid sirens overnight and caused damage to vehicles and houses in Hamad town and Manama due falling debris.

Meanwhile, Kuwait announced temporary closure of its airspace due to the attacks with the army stating that its air defense systems intercepted “hostile aerial targets.”

Egypt affirmed full solidarity with Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait and its support to all measures they take to safeguard their security and stability, and protect their citizens and national assets.

Iranian state media also reported that the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, had been completely closed to all vessel traffic.

The IRGC said it struck two oil tankers transiting the waterway.

The third back-and-forth strikes came amid a two-month shaky ceasefire, undermining efforts aimed at securing an agreement to the Iran war that has fueled regional instability and driven up global energy prices.

The US is seeking a deal with Iran that would curb its nuclear program and prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, an ambition Iranian authorities have long denied pursuing.

 

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran would “have to pay the price” for “taking too long to negotiate a deal.”

In the wake of Wednesday’s US strikes on Iran, Tehran said it is reviewing the future of diplomatic efforts to end the war, according to IRNA news agency.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the continuation of the talks will depend on an assessment of the situation in the aftermath of the attacks.