Iran Claims Retaliatory Strikes on US Bases in Kuwait and Bahrain Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions

Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile strikes targeting US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, marking another sharp escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington.

In a statement released through its official outlet, the IRGC said it targeted the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain in response to alleged American attacks on Iranian facilities located on Qeshm Island and in Sirik County in southern Iran.

According to the IRGC, the confrontation began in the early hours of Saturday when four oil tankers, allegedly operating under US military guidance, attempted to leave the Strait of Hormuz without coordination and despite repeated warnings from Iranian naval forces. The group claimed one tanker was struck while the others turned back.

Iran further alleged that US drones later attacked communication towers on Qeshm Island and in Sirik, prompting an immediate retaliatory response. The IRGC said its aerospace division launched ballistic missiles at the US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain shortly afterward.

The US military confirmed that it carried out strikes on Iranian radar and surveillance sites following what it described as threats to maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. American officials stated that several Iranian drones had been intercepted before the strikes were launched.

Meanwhile, Kuwait's armed forces reported that its air defence systems successfully intercepted incoming missiles and drones. Authorities said explosions heard across parts of the country were linked to defensive operations against hostile aerial targets and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) maintained that most of the Iranian missiles were intercepted and rejected Tehran’s claims that the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain had suffered damage. According to CENTCOM, six of the seven missiles launched by Iran were intercepted, while another failed to reach its intended target.

The latest exchange comes against the backdrop of mounting tensions in the Gulf region. Earlier this week, Kuwait accused Iran of launching multiple missiles and drones toward its territory, resulting in casualties and damage to infrastructure, including facilities at Kuwait International Airport.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy shipping routes, remains at the centre of the confrontation. Iran has tightened restrictions on maritime traffic linked to the United States and Israel, while Washington continues to enforce measures affecting Iranian shipping, further increasing the risk of military escalation in the region.

The exchange of strikes has added fresh uncertainty to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and restoring stability in the Gulf, with both sides continuing to trade accusations over responsibility for the latest incidents.
 

With inputs from IANS