By Anietie anii-bassey
A fresh wave of unclaimed airstrikes across Iran has renewed concerns that additional regional powers may be entering the conflict, further complicating efforts to prevent another major escalation in the Middle East.
The strikes occurred on Thursday, only hours after the United States announced that it had completed its latest military operations against Iranian targets. The attacks also came at a highly sensitive moment for Iran, as the country prepared for ceremonies surrounding the burial of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Explosions were reported in several parts of the country, including the southern provinces of Bushehr and Sistan and Baluchestan, as well as near the cities of Ahvaz and Chabahar. Iranian state media acknowledged the attacks but stopped short of directly accusing any specific country of responsibility.
The absence of an official claim has intensified speculation about who may have carried out the strikes. Questions have centered on whether regional states concerned about Iran’s growing military posture may have been involved, particularly as tensions continue to rise over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have maintained a defiant stance following the attacks. Esmail Kousari, a member of Iran’s parliamentary national security committee and a former commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that the United Arab Emirates would “pay the price” for what he described as covert cooperation with the United States.
According to Iranian state media, Kousari accused the UAE of playing a behind-the-scenes role in supporting recent American military operations against Iran. The Emirati government has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Other Gulf Arab nations also remained silent regarding the latest strikes, despite repeated requests for clarification. The governments of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have consistently denied accusations from Tehran that they provided assistance to U.S. military operations.
The latest developments have once again placed the Strait of Hormuz at the center of global attention. The strategic waterway, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass, remains one of the most important maritime routes for international energy markets.
Iran has increasingly insisted that the strait should fall under its exclusive control and has argued that foreign vessels using the route should pay fees to Tehran. The position has been strongly rejected by the United States and many other nations, which regard the strait as an international waterway that must remain open to global shipping.
During the recent conflict, Iran’s actions in and around the strait triggered major disruptions to global energy supplies and contributed to a sharp increase in oil prices, which at one point surged above $120 per barrel. Although prices have eased significantly since then, energy markets remain highly sensitive to any sign of renewed instability.
The U.S. military’s Central Command announced on Thursday morning that it had concluded a major series of operations that reportedly struck approximately 90 targets inside Iran. American officials later emphasized that no further U.S. attacks had been carried out after the final round of strikes ended.
A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing operations, confirmed that Washington was not responsible for the subsequent explosions reported across Iran.
The mysterious attacks were followed by a major Iranian response across the region. Tehran launched missiles toward several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Air raid sirens sounded in multiple cities, forcing residents to seek shelter as regional air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming projectiles.
Reports indicated that at least one person was injured in Kuwait during the attacks, though authorities said most of the missiles were intercepted before causing significant damage.
The strikes have heightened fears that the conflict could evolve into a broader regional confrontation involving multiple states.
Diplomatic activity intensified in the aftermath of the attacks. United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan traveled to Kuwait for emergency consultations with the country’s leadership, while senior officials across the Gulf held discussions with Qatar’s foreign minister, who has played a central role in mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan has also been involved in diplomatic initiatives aimed at preserving the interim agreement that has temporarily halted large-scale hostilities.
Analysts note that this is not the first time unexplained attacks have occurred during the conflict. Earlier phases of the war also saw several strikes whose origins initially remained unclear.
Subsequent reports suggested that Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, had carried out retaliatory operations after Iranian attacks targeted their energy infrastructure.
If Gulf nations were involved in the latest operations, experts say the attacks could be intended as a warning to Tehran against launching further strikes against neighboring countries.
Israel, another major participant in the conflict with Iran, has also remained silent regarding the recent airstrikes. Israeli authorities have traditionally acknowledged military operations against Iranian targets relatively quickly, making the absence of any claim particularly notable.
However, Israeli leaders have continued to issue warnings toward Tehran.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday evening, during which the American president provided updates on developments in the Gulf region.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also declared that Israel remained fully prepared to resume military operations if necessary.
“The Israeli military is on alert and ready to renew the campaign, reestablish aerial superiority and remove threats if required,” Katz said during a military event. “If we have to return, we will do so with even greater force.”
Meanwhile, maritime security agencies continue to warn that shipping risks remain elevated.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational organization overseen by the U.S. Navy, issued a fresh advisory urging commercial vessels to continue using southern navigation routes through Omani territorial waters to reduce the risk of confrontation with Iranian forces.
The warning follows recent attacks on merchant vessels in the region that have further heightened concerns about freedom of navigation and the security of global energy supplies.
With Iran maintaining its hardline position over the Strait of Hormuz, regional governments increasing military readiness and unexplained airstrikes continuing inside Iranian territory, fears are growing that the Middle East may once again be edging toward a broader and potentially more dangerous phase of conflict.
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