Kathmandu. Iran and the United States exchanged air strikes and missile launches again on Thursday as hostilities escalated in the Middle East.

As tensions escalate in sensitive regions including Kuwait and Bahrain, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran of “paying a price” for breaking stalled talks.

Shortly after the US military launched a second round of air strikes, Iran also retaliated by launching a missile attack. Tensions have escalated at the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

New airstrikes on Iranian cities and retaliatory counterattacks have stalled efforts at peace talks. Iran maintains its strategic hold on the Strait of Hormuz, while Israel’s continued attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon have undermined diplomatic efforts. Since Monday, there has been a direct attack between Iran and Israel.

Earlier on Wednesday, the first phase of a major clash took place between missile strikes and US air strikes from Iran. The situation escalated after missiles were fired in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan and a US helicopter was shot down.

According to the US Central Command, the second phase of the airstrike was completed before sunrise on Thursday morning. The attack targeted military surveillance, communications and air defence systems. No further details were released on the damage caused by the joint attack by the U.S. Air Force, Marines and Navy.

After the attack, powerful explosions were heard in the area around Tehran, as well as in Bandar Abbas and the south, local sources said.

Meanwhile, Kuwait has closed its airspace. According to the country’s officials, flights have been diverted to other airports due to the increased risk of Iranian attacks. Kuwait’s air defense system also tried to intercept some missiles that entered the air.

In recent days, there have been reports of direct hits at Kuwait International Airport, in which one person has been killed and dozens injured.

Missile warning sirens have also been sounded in Bahrain. The island state, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has been put on high alert for the risk of a possible attack. Both Kuwait and Bahrain have kept their air defense systems on standby.

Regional military tensions are pushing the Middle East into a more serious crisis, and diplomatic negotiations are increasingly failing.