Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Sunday it launched ballistic missile and drone attacks on US military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, marking a sharp escalation in tensions following recent American strikes on Iranian territory.
Iranian state media reported that the attacks were carried out in response to US bombing of coastal locations in Iran, while a US official said there were no reports of casualties or significant damage at the targeted facilities.
IRGC announces coordinated attack
According to statements carried by Iran's IRNA and Tasnim news agencies, the IRGC's naval and aerospace forces jointly targeted the US Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet stationed at Port Salman in Manama, Bahrain.
The Revolutionary Guards said the operation involved ballistic missiles and drones and described it as retaliation for recent US military action against Iranian coastal areas.
Following the reported strikes, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq implemented heightened security measures in anticipation of possible further attacks.
Kuwait's Army Chief of Staff said the country's air defence systems were actively intercepting hostile missiles and drones.
Military authorities said any explosions heard were the result of air defence systems engaging incoming threats and urged the public to follow security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.
US says no casualties reported
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that no American casualties, major damage or significant impact on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait had been reported at the time of the statement.
The official added that the situation remained fluid as authorities continued to assess developments.
The IRGC warned that any further US military action would trigger a much stronger and more comprehensive response.
The statement also said Iran considers itself responsible for controlling maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz under the existing US-Iran interim understanding, warning that ships violating those arrangements would face tougher action than before.
The Revolutionary Guards further said any future "enemy aggression" would be met with a "crushing response" and warned that violations of the ceasefire framework would halt ongoing processes.
Iran accuses US of violating MoU
Senior research fellow Abas Aslani of the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies said Tehran believes Washington is attempting to impose a different transit corridor in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran considers a violation of the existing memorandum of understanding.
He said Iran has been coordinating with Oman and plans to engage other regional countries over new transit arrangements, while accusing the United States of trying to pressure regional states into restoring the previous status quo.
According to Aslani, Tehran insists that a "new reality" now exists in the strategically important waterway and views control over the Strait of Hormuz as a critical national security interest.
Iranian media also claimed that US warplanes attempted to target Sirik Island in the Persian Gulf, but said Iranian air defence systems responded and forced the aircraft to retreat.
Separately, the IRGC Navy warned that US military bases across the region "will experience hell in these days," describing American military installations as separate targets amid the escalating confrontation.
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