A series of unclaimed airstrikes hitting Iran after the U.S. declared its attacks concluded have renewed speculation regarding other potential actors targeting the Islamic Republic.
The strikes occurred on Thursday as Iran was preparing to bury Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They impacted various locations across southern Iran. The country's theocracy has not directly attributed responsibility for these strikes, although one lawmaker issued a warning to the United Arab Emirates over alleged support provided to the United States in its campaign against Iran.
Gulf Arab states, which have been repeatedly targeted by Iran since the war began on February 28, did not immediately comment on Friday regarding the strikes. These attacks occur amid ongoing insistence from both Iran and the U.S. that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and free for maritime transit. Conversely, Iran maintains that the strait—through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and natural gas passes—should now be under its exclusive control, demanding that vessels pay fees to Tehran, despite decades of international recognition as a waterway.
Iran's assertion of control over the strait during the conflict contributed to a global energy crisis, although oil prices have since fallen sharply from wartime highs of $120 a barrel.
Israel, which participated in the Iran war, has also not claimed responsibility for any recent attacks on Iran.
Unclaimed strikes followed the conclusion of U.S. actions.
The U.S. military's Central Command stated on Thursday around 6:30 a.m. local Iran time that it had finished a round of strikes that affected about 90 targets. Shortly thereafter, Iranian news outlets and state media reported subsequent airstrikes and explosions targeting Bushehr and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, the cities of Ahvaz and Chabahar, and other regions.
Central Command did not respond to a request for comment concerning these additional strikes.
Iran retaliated against the strikes on Thursday by launching a broader series of attacks across the Middle East, hitting Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar. Missile alert sirens sounded in the four nations, prompting residents to take shelter. One individual was reportedly injured in Kuwait as air defense systems engaged incoming fire throughout the region.
The leader of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, traveled to Kuwait immediately following the Iranian attack for a meeting with the ruling emir of the small, oil-rich nation. Gulf Arab countries also held discussions with Qatar’s foreign minister, who has been actively involved with Pakistan in mediating talks between Iran and the U.S. regarding the interim agreement designed to halt open warfare.
During the Iran war, there were previous instances of unclaimed airstrikes. Officials later indicated that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE conducted airstrikes against Iran after Tehran struck energy facilities within their countries. A Gulf nation striking Iran again could potentially be an effort to deter further targeting of Gulf states by Tehran.
Israel, which under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has engaged in an intense campaign against Iran, has not attacked the Islamic Republic since June. Israel also typically claims its attacks on Iran immediately.
Israel’s government stated that Netanyahu spoke with Trump on Thursday night, during which Trump provided Netanyahu with updates "on American moves in the Gulf."
Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, reiterated threats that his nation is prepared to confront Iran if necessary.
Katz told a military ceremony that the Israeli military "is on alert and ready to renew the campaign, to reestablish aerial superiority, and to carry out a blue-white (Israeli) strike in Iran to remove threats, even for a third time." He added, "If we will have to return, we will return with even greater force."
Iran continues its threats.
On Friday, Iranian state media quoted Esmail Kousari, a member of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee and former commander in the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, warning that the UAE would "pay the price for its cooperation with the United States." He accused the Emirates of having an "behind-the-scenes" role in the recent U.S. attacks.
Iran has repeatedly accused Gulf Arab states of actively supporting the U.S. war effort, a claim they denied during the conflict. Since the 1991 Gulf War, the U.S. has maintained a significant military presence across the Gulf Arab states, including in Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters.
Meanwhile, Iran insists on being the sole controller of the Strait of Hormuz. However, the U.S. continues to advise mariners to use a southern route through Oman's territorial waters to bypass Iran.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, a multinational body overseen by the U.S. Navy, issued a new advisory Friday urging ships to take that route. A similar alert regarding this route prompted an Iranian attack on Tuesday, which resulted in three vessels being hit.
The maritime center stated, "Notwithstanding recent unprovoked attacks on merchant vessels, mariners are reminded that the southern route of the (strait) has been expanded and remains available for all traffic."