Trump threatens Iran's existence after exchange of Gulf attacks

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran could "disappear from existence" if the conflict escalates further. The statement followed a fresh wave of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian sites that were said to store missiles, drones and radar equipment, carried out in response to Iranian attacks on commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard launched missiles and drones at U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, claiming to have hit eight key installations. Kuwait’s air defenses reported intercepting hostile projectiles, while Bahrain sounded civil‑defence alarms. The exchange heightened concerns over the safety of the oil‑laden tanker routes through the strait, a critical artery for global energy supplies.

The flare‑up comes amid stalled technical talks aimed at ending the war that began in February 2026, underlining the risk that the regional confrontation could broaden and further destabilise Gulf security.