🔴 Live Crisis Tracker

The US–Iran Gulf War:
How We Got Here

A complete, easy-to-understand timeline of the 2026 conflict — from the February airstrikes through the June 3 attack on Kuwait International Airport.

📅 Last updated: June 3, 2026 👓 15 min read

🔍 The Big Picture

What happened, why it matters, and what comes next.

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran, killing senior Iranian leadership. This triggered a full-scale war that lasted over a month, a fragile ceasefire on April 8, and an ongoing cycle of escalation that — as of June 3 — has brought the two nations to the brink once again. The conflict centers on three flashpoints: Iran's nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and US military presence in Gulf states.

96
Days since war began
(Feb 28 – Jun 3)
122
Commercial ships diverted
by US blockade
~$96
Brent crude per barrel
June 3 peak
1.2M+
Displaced in Lebanon
from parallel conflict
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) aircraft carrier at sea
📷 USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) — The Nimitz-class carrier currently deployed in the Arabian Sea, enforcing the US naval blockade on Iran. CENTCOM reports the carrier strike group includes 8 F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and over 100 aircraft. (File photo: U.S. Navy)

🗺 Conflict Zone Map

Key locations in the US-Iran theater of operations.

IRAN Qeshm Island US struck Jun 2 KUWAIT Airport hit Jun 3 💥 BAHRAIN 5th Fleet HQ SAUDI ARABIA UAE Strait of Hormuz 🚩 🛳 USS Lincoln Arabian Sea IRAQ Legend US Strike Target Iranian Attack / Damage
🗺 Key conflict zones — The US-Iran theater extends from the Arabian Sea to Kuwait. Red markers indicate US strike targets; orange marks show Iranian retaliation. The Strait of Hormuz (blue) remains the strategic chokepoint at the center of the crisis.

🕑 Complete Timeline

From the outbreak of war to today — every major event, in order.

💡 How to read this timeline Red dates = military action  |  Orange dots = major escalation  |  Blue dates = diplomacy

■ PHASE 1 — War Erupts (Late February – March)

Feb 28, 2026

US & Israel Launch Joint Strikes on Iran

The United States and Israel conduct coordinated airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. Senior Iranian leadership is killed. Iran retaliates immediately, firing missiles at US bases in the Gulf and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. This is the start of the war.

Mar 1–7, 2026

Iran Retaliates Across the Gulf

IRGC launches waves of ballistic missiles and drones at US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Kuwait International Airport is struck for the first time. Oil prices surge past $100/barrel.

Mar 9, 2026

USS Abraham Lincoln Deployed to Arabian Sea

EU Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captures the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group sailing toward the Strait of Hormuz. IRGC Navy commander warns: "If Lincoln enters our range, we will open fire."

Mar 29, 2026

Iran Threatens Carrier Strike

Iranian Navy commander explicitly warns that the USS Abraham Lincoln will be targeted if it enters Iranian missile range. The carrier remains ~200km off the Iranian coast.

■ PHASE 2 — Fragile Ceasefire (April)

Apr 7, 2026

Trump Announces Unilateral Ceasefire

President Trump declares a unilateral ceasefire, calling for negotiations. The announcement comes after over a month of heavy exchanges that have devastated Gulf infrastructure and sent global oil markets into turmoil.

Apr 8, 2026

US-Iran Ceasefire Reached via Pakistan Mediation

A formal ceasefire is agreed upon, mediated by Pakistan. Both sides agree to talks in Islamabad. The Strait of Hormuz partially reopens, though traffic remains sparse (~7 ships/day vs. normal 125–140).

Apr 13, 2026

Trump Imposes Naval Blockade on Iran

Despite the ceasefire, Trump announces a full naval blockade preventing any ship from accessing Iranian ports. CENTCOM begins enforcement. The goal: prevent Iran from collecting toll revenue from Strait of Hormuz transits.

Late Apr, 2026

41 Tankers, 69 Million Barrels Stranded

The US blockade prevents 41 oil tankers carrying ~69 million barrels from reaching Iranian ports. Iran responds by formalizing the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), requiring all transiting vessels to be licensed by the IRGC Navy and pay tolls.

■ PHASE 3 — Tit-for-Tat Escalation (May)

May 6, 2026

US Disables Iranian Tanker M/T Hasna

An F/A-18 Super Hornet from USS Lincoln fires cannon rounds into the Iranian-flagged tanker M/T Hasna, disabling it. This is the first direct US attack on an Iranian commercial vessel since the ceasefire.

May 9, 2026

Two More Iranian Tankers Fired Upon

US forces fire on Sea Star III and Sevda, two more Iran-flagged tankers. The IRGC vows "severe retaliation."

May 25, 2026

US Bombs Iranian Radar & Drone Sites

CENTCOM confirms strikes on Iranian radar installations and drone control stations. Photos released show F/A-18E Super Hornets landing on the USS Lincoln after the mission.

May 27, 2026

Operation "Project Freedom" — and Iran's Response

The US launches "Project Freedom" to guide neutral vessels out of the Gulf. Iran retaliates with drone and missile strikes that hit commercial ships and the UAE. Trump halts the operation within hours. The cycle of action-reaction intensifies.

■ PHASE 4 — The June 2–3 Crisis (Current)

Jun 1, 2026

Kuwait Thwarts Missile Barrage

Kuwait announces it successfully intercepted a barrage of missiles and drones. Kuwait holds Iran "fully responsible for these heinous attacks." CENTCOM confirms intercepting two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting US forces in Kuwait.

Jun 2, 2026

US Strikes Qeshm Island — Iran Vows Revenge

US forces strike an IRGC communications tower on Qeshm Island in what CENTCOM calls "self-defense strikes." Hours later, the US disables a sixth tanker — the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie — with a Hellfire missile to its engine room as it approached Kharg Island. IRGC mobilization begins.

Jun 2–3 (Overnight)

IRGC Launches Massive Retaliation

IRGC forces fire a coordinated salvo of ballistic missiles and drones at US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, including the US 5th Fleet HQ. Air raid sirens sound in eastern Saudi Arabia and Dubai. US and Bahraini air defenses intercept three missiles; two targeting Kuwait fall short.

🔴 Jun 3, 2026 — Dawn

Kuwait International Airport Terminal 1 Hit

Despite air defense interceptions, Iranian drones breach Kuwait's defenses and strike Terminal 1 of Kuwait International Airport. The terminal sustains severe structural damage. 1 person killed, 63 wounded (7 requiring major emergency surgery). All flights suspended; diplomatic missions at the airport also damaged.

🔴 The Kuwait Airport Attack — June 3, 2026

A detailed look at the day's events — the deadliest single incident since the April ceasefire.

Kuwait International Airport terminal exterior
📷 Kuwait International Airport Terminal 1 — The passenger terminal struck by Iranian drones in the early hours of June 3, 2026. The attack killed 1 person, wounded 63, and caused severe structural damage. All flights were suspended; operations later partially resumed from Terminal 4. (File photo: Wikimedia Commons)

⏰ Minute-by-Minute Breakdown

TIME (LOCAL) EVENT
02:00–03:00 US Army announces strikes on Iranian military sites on Qeshm Island
03:00–04:00 IRGC launches coordinated missile & drone salvo toward Kuwait and Bahrain
~04:30 Kuwaiti air defense systems intercept multiple incoming projectiles; explosions heard across the city
~05:15 🔴 Iranian drones breach defenses — Terminal 1 is hit. Severe structural damage. Fires break out.
~05:45 Bahrain activates emergency sirens; residents told to seek shelter
06:00 Kuwait Civil Aviation suspends ALL flights; inbound flights diverted
09:33 Iran's Foreign Ministry condemns US attacks; says Kuwait & Bahrain bear "direct responsibility"
09:56 Mohsen Rezaei (adviser to Supreme Leader) warns of a "deluge of missiles and drones" if US attacks continue
10:00 Kuwait Foreign Ministry confirms: 1 killed, 63 wounded
10:31 Partial flight resumption announced — Kuwait Airways only, from Terminal 4
⚠ Why Was Kuwait Targeted? Iran has repeatedly accused Kuwait and Bahrain of allowing US forces to launch strikes from their soil. From Tehran's perspective, these Gulf states are not neutral — they are staging grounds for US operations. The June 3 attack was specifically retaliation for the US strike on Qeshm Island hours earlier. Iran's Foreign Ministry stated the attacks targeted "military infrastructure," but the strike on the civilian airport terminal drew international condemnation.

🚩 The Strait of Hormuz — World's Most Dangerous Chokepoint

Why a 21-mile-wide strip of water matters to everyone on Earth.

Strait of Hormuz as seen from the International Space Station
📷 The Strait of Hormuz from space — This 21-nautical-mile-wide waterway carries ~20% of the world's daily oil and LNG supply. Normally 125–140 ships transit daily. As of June 2026, traffic has collapsed to fewer than 7 ships per day due to the dual US-Iran blockade. (Photo: NASA/ISS)

⚡ By the Numbers: A Chokepoint Held Hostage

20%
of global oil passes through daily
(normal conditions)
~7
ships/day now transit
(vs. 125–140 normally)
69M
barrels of oil stranded
on 41 tankers
~20K
seafarers trapped
inside the Gulf
⚠ The Double Blockade This crisis is unusual: both sides are blocking the strait. Iran was first — closing it in retaliation for the February 28 strikes. Then the US imposed its own blockade in April to strangle Iran's oil revenue. The result: a near-total paralysis of one of the world's most vital trade arteries. Ships that attempt to run either blockade face disabling fire. As of June 3, the US has disabled 6 tankers; Iran has struck multiple vessels it accused of cooperating with US forces.

🌎 Global Ripple Effects

This is not just a regional conflict — the whole world feels it.

💸 Oil & Energy

Brent crude hit ~$96/barrel on June 3, up more than 1% on the day. The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level since 1983. Gasoline prices are surging globally. If the Strait of Hormuz remains paralyzed, analysts warn oil could breach $120/barrel within weeks.

📈 Markets & Economy

The OECD downgraded 2026 global growth forecasts to 2.8% (down from 3.4% in 2025). Moody's chief economist warned that Trump has "about a week" to reach a deal or risk pushing the US into recession. Gold has surpassed US Treasuries as the world's #1 reserve asset (27% vs 22%). Bitcoin tumbled below $67,000 after Strategy Inc. sold off holdings.

🛡 Humanitarian Crisis

Over 1.2 million people are displaced in Lebanon due to the parallel Israel-Hezbollah conflict. UNICEF warns of aid disruptions across Gaza, Somalia, South Sudan, Mali, Nigeria, and the DRC as transportation costs skyrocket. The ~20,000 seafarers trapped inside the Gulf face dwindling supplies.

🌐 Diplomacy at a Standstill

Peace talks in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan, remain stalled. Iran says message exchanges stopped "several days ago"; Trump insists conversations continue. The US has added demands regarding Iran's nuclear program and strait sovereignty. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss de-escalation, but no concrete progress has been reported.

Oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz
📷 An oil tanker navigating the Strait of Hormuz — In normal times, over 125 vessels like this one transit the strait daily, carrying roughly one-fifth of the world's petroleum. The US-Iran dual blockade has reduced this to a trickle, threatening global energy security. (File photo: Flickr/TerminalLabs)

📖 Sources & Further Reading

All information on this page is compiled from the following news sources.

Gulf News — Iranian missiles target Bahrain, Kuwait; US says threats 'successfully defeated'

The New Arab — US strikes Qeshm Island, Iran retaliates on Kuwait and Bahrain

Al-Monitor — Kuwait airport damaged, flights suspended after Iran missile attack

Khaleej Times — Several injured after Iranian drones attack Kuwait International Airport

Pakistan Observer — Hostilities erupt in Gulf as US, Iran exchange airstrikes

Anadolu Agency — Morning Briefing: June 3, 2026

Emirates 24/7 — US intercepts Iranian missiles targeting Kuwait and Bahrain

Xinhua — World news summary at 0030 GMT, June 3

Indian Express — US military strikes Iran-bound oil tanker defying Trump's naval blockade

WION — USS Abraham Lincoln conducts blockade operations in Arabian Sea

中国证券报 — 6月3日国际晨讯

财联社 — 周三你需要知道的隔夜全球要闻