Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has vowed to teach the United States “unforgettable lessons” as tensions between both countries continue to escalate, following reports of the first American military deaths since Washington renewed hostilities with Tehran.
The latest developments come barely a month after both nations signed a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the conflict. However, the deal has since collapsed, paving the way for a fresh wave of attacks.
According to Iranian authorities, Tehran launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf after accusing the United States of targeting civilian infrastructure, including an airport, railway station, and several bridges during a week of intensified airstrikes.
Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that an oil facility and a power and water plant were hit in the attacks, while Bahrain said its air defence systems successfully intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones.
Iran also carried out fresh strikes targeting Jordan. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two American service members were killed on Friday while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Another US service member remains missing.
Reacting to the developments, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed office after the death of his father during the opening phase of the US-Israeli strikes on February 28, accused Washington of abandoning its commitments.
“The continued attacks against our country once again demonstrate the worthlessness of the American president’s signature,” Khamenei said in a statement aired on Iranian state television.
He further warned that the United States should expect severe consequences if the attacks continue.
“Now that the American enemy seeks to incite war and bear its most serious consequences, it should know that the dear Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance have unforgettable lessons to offer it,” he declared.
Senior military adviser Major General Mohsen Rezaei also warned that Iran would resume “full-scale offensive operations” if US attacks persist in the coming days.
“Iran will no longer limit itself to retaliatory, like-for-like responses,” Rezaei was quoted as saying by Iranian state media.
The attacks have heightened concerns across the Gulf region. In Kuwait, residents rushed to stock up on essential supplies amid fears that the conflict could disrupt basic services.
“The demand for water and canned goods has increased since this morning amid fears that services or supply chains will be affected,” resident Hassan Rayan said.
Another resident, Ali Mahmoud, noted that streets and beaches were unusually deserted despite it being a public holiday.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military said it had targeted a US air base in Bahrain, while Iranian state media also reported strikes on fuel storage facilities at Jordan’s Al-Azraq air base. Jordan’s military said it intercepted 10 missiles on Saturday after shooting down at least three the previous day.
Prospects for a diplomatic resolution appear increasingly uncertain despite ongoing mediation efforts. US President Donald Trump had earlier threatened further strikes on Iranian infrastructure, although Washington has yet to officially confirm additional military operations.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, insisted that the United States was failing to achieve its objectives through military action.
“America has violated and stopped all its commitments under that memorandum of understanding, and we have also stopped all our commitments,” he said during an interview with Iranian state television.
Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that recent US attacks killed three people and injured eight in Hormozgan Province. In neighbouring Khuzestan Province, local authorities said at least eight people were killed after the United States allegedly carried out attacks on 95 locations across 12 cities over the past 10 days.
The conflict continues to intensify, raising fears of a wider regional war with mounting casualties and increasing damage to critical infrastructure.
