Iran strikes eight US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain

Iran escalated its military response to U.S. actions by announcing a significant operation involving missiles and drones, which it claims struck eight U.S. military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain. The announcement came after the U.S. launched new airstrikes into southern Iran early Sunday. This exchange marks one of the most serious military confrontations between Tehran and Washington since they previously agreed to a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities and pursue a permanent agreement.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its naval and air forces conducted a joint operation between 02:00 and 03:00 local time. According to the IRGC, ballistic missiles and drones hit eight U.S. military facilities, including Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Mina Salman, Bahrain. The IRGC described the strikes as a "firm response to recent American aggression," though it did not specify the locations of the other six targets. The U.S. government has not yet confirmed these claims.

Furthermore, the IRGC accused Washington of violating its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum. Iran contends that the U.S. attacked five Iranian coastal sites in retaliation for Iran's interception of a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC asserted that, according to Article 5 of the memorandum, Iran has the authority to regulate navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and warned that vessels violating these terms would face stricter enforcement. Iran also issued a stern warning that any subsequent U.S. attacks, including those on secondary targets, would be met with what it termed a "crippling response."