Security · September 2026

In early September 2026, the United States and Iran exchanged military strikes, with Washington conducting retaliatory attacks via CENTCOM and Tehran responding with missiles and drones, including an assault on a US base in Bahrain. Iranian media reported a US strike on a wedding in southern Iran killed five people, including a child, while other attacks reportedly killed four IRGC Aerospace forces in Kermanshah and seven in Khuzestan. (ongoing coverage) Iran attacked US allies in the Gulf, including a drone strike on a residential complex in Kuwait and an attack on a vessel near Hormuz that killed two sailors, according to Saudi Arabia. Two oil tankers hit sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran's IRGC warning shipping companies, as the US responded to increased maritime pressure. US officials reportedly seek to de-escalate the conflict with Iran but warn attacks may intensify after November midterm elections. Iran's Army chief stressed stronger defense readiness, and a US aircraft carrier made a port call in Pattaya, Thailand, after deployment in the Iran conflict.