Iran retaliates against U.S. with missile and drone attacks on Gulf nations

Iran launched missile and drone attacks against several Gulf nations on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in retaliation for a U.S. military strike on targets within Iran. This action represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington, occurring despite efforts to maintain a ceasefire.

The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain reported missile and drone strikes originating from Iran. These attacks followed closely after the U.S. Military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it had struck approximately 140 military targets in Iran, including missile and drone launch sites, naval assets, and ammunition depots. Iranian state media reported one military officer killed in the U.S. strike.

This latest escalation follows increased tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. On Saturday, Iran attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) subsequently announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely. This closure impacts a vital strategic waterway, which previously handled about 20 percent of the world's energy exports, driving global oil and gas prices to multi-year highs.

Most Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, excluding Saudi Arabia, reported intercepting Iranian missiles or drones. In Qatar, the Ministry of Interior stated that three people, including a child, were injured by falling missile debris, and the government strongly condemned the attack as a dangerous escalation. The UAE reported its air defense systems were activated, though it later stated the missile threat was outside its territory. Bahrain's warning sirens sounded for the third time, and Kuwait's military confirmed intercepting projectiles. Oman's official news agency reported drone attacks in Musandam Province.

The IRGC claimed responsibility for striking a U.S. radar site in Kuwait and destroying a command center and drone hangar at a U.S. military base in Jordan. Jordanian authorities confirmed three Iranian missiles fell within its territory without casualties. The conflict's impact on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is severe, threatening global energy supplies.

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Serangan tersebut menandai eskalasi terbaru konflik antara Teheran dan Washington meski upaya mempertahankan gencatan senjata masih terus dilakukan.