- June 11, 2026
- 12:59 pm
- Middle East
Night of June 10-11: The US attacked Iran, Tehran responded to bases
The US and Iran exchanged strikes for the second consecutive night. The new wave of escalation occurred on the night of June 10-11: US Central Command forces, Centcom, under the order of President Donald Trump, attacked targets in Iran again, and Tehran responded with strikes on American bases in Arab countries.
A similar scenario already occurred the previous night — from June 9 to 10. Therefore, this is not a single episode, but a series of strikes that could change the situation throughout the Middle East.
According to an official Centcom report, American forces struck Iranian military surveillance assets, communication systems, and air defense facilities across Iran. The statement says that the US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy used precision munitions against Iranian targets that posed a threat to American troops and international merchant ships passing through regional waters.
Washington emphasizes that the strikes were a response to Iran’s ‘unjustified and ongoing aggression.’ US President Donald Trump told Fox News that alongside the airstrikes, American forces launched 49 Tomahawk missiles at targets in Iran.
For Israel, this night holds special significance. Iran remains Israel’s main strategic adversary, and its military infrastructure, air defense systems, missile capabilities, and network of allied groups in the region directly affect Israeli security.
Why American targets inside Iran are important for Israel
When the US attacks Iranian communication, surveillance, and air defense facilities, it concerns not only American bases in the region. Such strikes can weaken Iran’s ability to coordinate actions, track enemy force movements, and support regional military operations.
For Israel, this is related to several threat directions. Iran supports Hezbollah, the Houthis, Shia formations in Iraq, and other forces that can be used against Israel, American assets, and US allies in the Middle East.
That is why the night of June 10-11 was not just another exchange of strikes. It showed that the US-Iran conflict is once again entering a phase of direct military pressure.
Iran’s response: Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Erbil
Iran responded with strikes on American bases in Arab countries. As on the night of June 9-10, the main strike was not directed at US territory but at military facilities where American forces are stationed in the region.
Around three in the morning, the official Iranian agency IRNA, citing the press service of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that during two waves of operations, 18 important targets belonging to the US army were hit. Among the named targets were Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al Jaber airbases in Kuwait, as well as Sheikh Isa airbase in Bahrain.
Later, around six in the morning, Iranian attacks continued. The IRGC stated that it launched 12 ballistic missile strikes on the American Al-Azraq base in Jordan. According to the Iranian side, the base of American F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighters was destroyed.
However, there is no independent confirmation of such scale of destruction yet. It is known that air defense systems were activated in Kuwait and Bahrain. Additional information on the situation in Jordan was not disclosed at the time of the first reports.
There were also reports at night of Iranian strikes on Erbil airport in Iraqi Kurdistan. This facility is important because American forces are also present in the Erbil area, and Iraq remains one of the most sensitive points of contact between the US and Iran.
Why Iran did not attack the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar
This time, another point stands out: Iran did not attack the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, although in previous rounds these countries were considered among possible or key targets.
This may indicate a more selective tactic by Tehran. Kuwait and Bahrain may have been chosen due to the location of American military facilities, which Iran considers important command and logistics centers. But there is also a diplomatic layer: in recent months, interaction between Tehran and Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh has noticeably intensified.
For Israel, this detail is no less important than the strikes themselves. If some Gulf countries are trying to maintain working channels with Iran, and Tehran consciously avoids strikes on their territory, the regional picture becomes more complex.
In this context, NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency is monitoring not only military statements but also how the diplomatic line of Arab states around Iran is changing. For Israel, such shifts can have long-term consequences — from the security of air routes to future regional alliances.
Negotiations under pressure: Trump demands a deal, Iran denies contacts
On June 10, on the eve of a new night wave of strikes, Donald Trump warned that the US is ready for a rapid escalation of military actions if Tehran does not sign an agreement soon. His wording was as harsh as possible: ‘We will bomb them to hell tomorrow.’
According to Trump, high-ranking Iranian officials allegedly contacted him directly and asked to stop American bombings. The IRGC categorically denies this and states that there were no contacts between representatives of the Iranian government and the US president.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, during a visit to Centcom headquarters in Florida, told reporters that Iran has a chance to make a favorable deal, but Tehran, according to him, does not want to do so. His phrase sounded like a direct explanation of the American tactic: ‘If we need to negotiate with bombs, we will negotiate with bombs.’
This approach means that Washington is trying to combine military pressure and diplomatic bargaining. The US is not closing the door to negotiations but simultaneously shows that waiting for Iran’s response will not be endless.
What was discussed in Washington
Trump met with his national security team on June 10 to discuss possible military action options. According to Axios, one of the scenarios was a large-scale but short-term operation aimed at forcing Iran to change its position in negotiations.
This is an important detail. The US, judging by the described logic, does not necessarily seek a protracted war but is ready for a sharp strike if they believe diplomacy has reached an impasse. The problem is that in the Middle East, even a ‘short-term operation’ can quickly go beyond the initial plan.
Axios also notes that Trump waited almost two weeks for Iran’s response to the latest American proposal and became increasingly disappointed. Meanwhile, negotiations through intermediaries continued. Only on June 10, Qatari representatives held talks in Tehran, trying to resolve remaining disagreements.
What might happen next
After the night of June 10-11, the main question is not only which targets were hit. More importantly, whether the US, Iran, and intermediaries can keep the escalation within manageable limits.
If Iran continues to strike American bases, Washington may expand the list of targets inside Iran. If the US intensifies attacks, Tehran may engage allied forces in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, or Lebanon. For Israel, this means increased risks on several fronts.
While both sides speak the language of force, they do not completely close the negotiation channel. That is why the period after the night of June 10-11 becomes critical: the strikes may remain part of the pressure before a deal, or they may become the beginning of a new and much more dangerous phase of the US-Iran confrontation.