Vance accuses Israel of undermining US-Iran peace efforts as regional tensions deepen

The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified on Thursday as fresh military strikes, political accusations and

The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified on Thursday as fresh military strikes, political accusations and security threats unfolded across the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation.

US Vice President JD Vance claimed that elements within the Israeli government had attempted to derail Washington’s diplomatic efforts with Iran. Speaking during an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vance alleged that a well-funded campaign had been launched to undermine negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

He said certain individuals linked to former political advisers were working to push the United States away from diplomacy and toward continued military escalation. His remarks highlighted growing differences over the future direction of US policy in the region.

Meanwhile, Iran strongly condemned US air strikes carried out near Shahid Baghaei Hospital in Ahvaz, a medical facility treating children with cancer. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attack as a serious violation of international law, saying it caused panic among patients and forced the emergency evacuation of 211 children undergoing chemotherapy.

Baghaei accused Washington of targeting areas close to civilian infrastructure and said Iran would continue defending its sovereignty. He added that the country remained focused on protecting its territory despite ongoing international calls for renewed diplomacy. The United States had not issued an immediate response to the allegations.

Military tensions also spread across the Gulf region. Kuwait announced that its air defence systems intercepted several hostile drones, urging residents to follow security instructions while describing the attacks as Iranian aggression.

Iranian military officials, however, warned that the Strait of Hormuz remains a strategic red line and vowed to resist any attempt by the United States to interfere in the vital waterway. Brigadier General Mohammad Akaminia said Iran possesses the capability to control the strait from across its territory and would neutralise any foreign military intervention.

Another senior Iranian commander, Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari, warned that if the United States targeted Iranian infrastructure, Tehran would retaliate by striking infrastructure throughout the region.

Fresh US strikes were also reported in western Iran’s Hamadan province, where local authorities said emergency services had been placed on high alert. Officials stated that no casualties were recorded.

Iranian state media further claimed that Iranian forces launched drone attacks against US military assets at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base and successfully shot down a US MQ-9A Reaper drone over Khuzestan province. Those claims have not been independently verified.

In Iraq, coalition forces intercepted and destroyed eight explosive drones over Erbil, preventing them from reaching sensitive locations, including areas near the US Consulate. No casualties were reported, and no group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The drone incidents occurred as Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Washington for high-level meetings. He later condemned the violation of Iraqi airspace and directed security agencies to strengthen coordination to prevent similar attacks in the future.