Iran on Monday announced that it had launched attacks on what it described as US military bases and strategic facilities in Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, saying the strikes were in response to a second consecutive night of US airstrikes on Iranian territory.

Authorities in Bahrain activated nationwide warning sirens and urged residents to remain calm while moving to the nearest safe shelter as a precaution following the regional escalation.

The latest exchange comes after the United States carried out multiple strikes across Iran over the past two days. Iranian officials said the attacks targeted several locations, including Bushehr, Chabahar, Bandar Abbas and Sirik along the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian authorities, the strikes killed at least 14 people and injured 78 others.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US operation, describing it as a violation of the UN Charter and the existing ceasefire agreement. The ministry also rejected Washington’s assertion that the strikes were carried out in response to attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling the justification a “false pretext.” It said the attacks included damage to two railway bridges and resulted in civilian and military casualties.

Meanwhile, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, has slowed sharply following the latest escalation.

According to Bloomberg News, vessel movement through the waterway has been largely limited to a northern route approved by Iran, while the southern corridor supported by Oman and the United States saw little activity. The report said only a US-sanctioned supertanker departing the Gulf and an Iranian-flagged container ship were observed transiting the strait during the period.

Shipping data from Kpler cited by Bloomberg showed a significant decline in traffic. In the three weeks after the interim US-Iran understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, commodity vessel movements averaged 34 transits a day, peaking at 59 on June 24. Following the latest hostilities, daily crossings have fallen to fewer than 20 on most days.