The United States and Iran exchanged further missile strikes on Thursday, raising fears that their five-month conflict could escalate into a wider regional war. The renewed attacks followed a brief pause that had fuelled hopes of diplomacy, but there was no public sign of progress towards a settlement as violence spread to countries hosting US forces and along vital energy routes.

Jordan said it intercepted five Iranian missiles without casualties, while Kuwait reported that an Iranian strike on a Chinese company building killed one worker. The US said it struck dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets after Iran attacked a US base in Jordan; Iran reported three deaths and two injuries from a strike on Qeshm island near the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan said mediation efforts continued, while drone attacks also set fires on two natural-gas vessels at Egypt’s Damietta port.