The military confrontation between the United States and Iran intensified on Sunday as both countries exchanged fresh attacks across the Gulf region. Iran claimed it destroyed a US military drone fleet in Bahrain after Washington launched another round of strikes targeting multiple military sites inside the country.

The latest escalation comes amid growing tensions over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil and natural gas exports.

US says fresh strikes targeted Iran’s military capabilities

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out precision strikes on dozens of targets across Iran to weaken Tehran’s ability to threaten international shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the US military, the targets included Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar installations, missile and drone infrastructure, and small military boats. CENTCOM also said it deployed fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones and one-way attack sea drones during the operation.

US officials said the latest offensive followed an alleged attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has maintained that the strikes were intended to protect maritime security in the region.

US President Donald Trump also defended the operation, saying the American military had carried out extensive strikes against Iranian targets.

Iran claims attacks on US military bases

Iran responded by announcing strikes on several American military installations across the Gulf. Iranian state media reported that US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman came under attack as Tehran expanded its military response.

Iran’s IRNA news agency claimed that drone operations were continuing against American positions and alleged that an entire US military drone fleet stationed in Bahrain had been destroyed. However, the United States has not confirmed this claim.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces targeted helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 surveillance aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre. Iranian media also reported attacks on defence systems, bunkers and support shelters at US facilities in Kuwait, including the Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber air bases.

Casualties reported in Iran

Iranian authorities said at least one person was killed and four others were injured after a projectile struck an agricultural water pumping station in Mahshahr in Khuzestan province.

According to local officials, the person killed was a security guard stationed at the facility. Iranian authorities said the attack occurred during the early hours of Sunday.

Explosions reported across multiple provinces

Iranian media reported explosions in several provinces following the latest US strikes.

In Hormozgan province, blasts were reported in Jask, Sirik, Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas, where several radar installations and military facilities are located.

Explosions were also reported in Omidiyeh, Mahshahr, Behbahan, Dezful and areas near Ahvaz in Khuzestan province. Additional strikes were reported near Chabahar in Sistan-Baluchestan province and around Khondab in Markazi province, where Iran’s heavy water facilities are situated.

Diplomatic efforts face setback

Tehran said the latest US attacks had rendered months of diplomatic efforts ineffective, signalling a further deterioration in relations between the two countries.

The latest exchange of strikes has heightened concerns over regional stability and the security of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

At least 15 Indian tourists were killed after a tourist boat carrying 36 people overturned near Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island on Saturday. Search and rescue operations remain underway, while the Indian Embassy has established emergency control rooms to assist affected families and coordinate with local authorities.

Boat overturned amid rough weather

According to local media reports, the vessel was carrying 36 people, including 32 Indian tourists, three crew members and one attendant. The boat reportedly capsized shortly after departing Hon May Rut Ngoai Island for An Thoi Port at around 1 pm local time (11:30 am IST).

The accident is believed to have occurred due to rough seas and strong winds, causing everyone on board to fall into the water.

Authorities rescued 21 people and shifted them to hospitals for treatment. Two of the rescued passengers are reported to be in critical condition.

Indian Embassy sets up emergency assistance

The Indian Embassy in Vietnam said it is closely monitoring the situation and has activated emergency control rooms to help affected Indian nationals and their families.

In a statement on X, the Embassy said it was gathering details of the incident while local authorities continued search and rescue efforts.

The Indian Ambassador, along with Embassy officials, is travelling to Phu Quoc Island to oversee consular assistance, coordinate with Vietnamese authorities and support the affected Indian citizens.

Lava Mobiles confirms team members involved

Lava Mobiles said some of its employees and channel partners were among those involved in the accident.

The company stated that it is in constant contact with the Embassy of India in Vietnam and local authorities to obtain updates about the safety and well-being of its personnel. It added that teams in both India and Vietnam are providing all possible assistance to affected families.

Sources said around 110 Lava distributors and employees from South India were on a visit together.

PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi express condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured survivors and said Indian diplomatic missions were extending all possible assistance while remaining in close contact with Vietnamese authorities.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also conveyed his condolences and urged the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs to work closely with Vietnamese authorities to support ongoing rescue operations and provide necessary assistance to affected families.

Andhra Pradesh government seeks details

Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh spoke with senior officials after reports indicated that tourists from the state may have been among those affected.

He directed officials to coordinate with the Central Government and ensure all possible support is provided to the victims and their families.

Emergency control room numbers

To assist affected Indian nationals, the Indian mission has opened control rooms at the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and the Embassy in Hanoi.

The Ho Chi Minh City control room can be contacted at +84 36 281 7930, +84 91 552 37 14 and +84 33 452 0414.

The Hanoi control room is available at +84 91 308 9165.

The Embassy said both control rooms remain operational for information, assistance and support related to the incident.

The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen above 4,000, according to the country’s government, while thousands of people remain missing.

Parliament chief Jorge Rodriguez said in a Telegram post that at least 4,118 people have died and 16,740 others have been injured in the back-to-back earthquakes. The powerful tremors caused widespread destruction across the coastal state of La Guaira, reducing residential buildings and entire neighbourhoods to rubble.

Twin earthquakes caused widespread devastation

The disaster began with a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, followed just 39 seconds later by an even stronger 7.5-magnitude quake. Authorities described the second earthquake as the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

The twin shocks caused severe structural damage, with several high-rise apartment buildings collapsing completely. Thousands of people are still listed as missing as families continue searching through the debris for their loved ones.

Although official rescue teams have concluded search operations for survivors, many relatives remain at the disaster sites in the hope of recovering the bodies of missing family members for proper burial.

Recovery efforts face major challenges

The humanitarian response continues to face significant obstacles as Venezuela works to recover from one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters. The scale of rebuilding is expected to be enormous, particularly as the nation continues to grapple with long-standing economic difficulties that have affected public services.

Adding to public concern, a 3.0-magnitude tremor struck central Caracas on Friday, briefly triggering panic and prompting evacuations from several buildings.

The United Nations has appealed for nearly $300 million in emergency funding to support earthquake relief operations.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez has urged the release of frozen national assets held overseas to assist with reconstruction efforts. She also said she had requested King Charles III to release around 30 tonnes of Venezuelan gold frozen under UK sanctions to help finance the country’s recovery.