Fresh clashes on Friday threatened to unravel the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as Washington confirmed that Tehran’s national football team had been granted visas for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Nearly 100 days after US and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s top leadership, the truce has held since April 8. But tensions reignited when American forces reported downing Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz and striking radar sites in Iran. Soon after, explosions were heard in Kuwait and Bahrain, prompting air raid sirens across both US-allied nations.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for missile attacks on “enemy bases” in response to what they called a US “invasion” of Sirik and Qeshm islands. US Central Command confirmed seven ballistic missiles were launched toward Kuwait and Bahrain, six intercepted, and one failing to hit its target. CENTCOM dismissed Iranian claims of damage to the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

Despite the escalation, the US proceeded with visa approvals for Iran’s football squad. Ambassador Tom Barrack emphasized that “sports transcend borders,” though Iranian media reported delays for some staff members. A US official warned that visas would not be exploited to “sneak terrorists” into the country.

The renewed violence followed earlier US strikes on Iranian radar installations after intercepting four drones threatening maritime traffic. Kuwait’s military said its defenses were responding to “hostile” attacks, days after a strike on its international airport caused casualties.

President Donald Trump told NBC News that Iran retains “21, 22 percent” of its missile arsenal, a figure higher than his May estimate of 18 percent. Meanwhile, Lebanon urged Iran to stop using its territory as a bargaining chip, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam pleading: “Have mercy on our south.” Hezbollah rejected a new truce proposal, continuing its exchanges with Israel.

Iran’s foreign minister insisted Lebanon’s conflict is inseparable from the Gulf war, underscoring the deadlock in negotiations that have rattled global markets and heightened political pressure on Trump ahead of midterm elections.