Iran Claims Strikes on US Military Facilities Across Gulf Region as Tensions Escalate
Tehran/Washington: Iran on Thursday claimed responsibility for a series of attacks targeting American military installations in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, describing the operations as retaliation for recent US military actions against Iranian interests in the region.
According to statements issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian forces carried out two coordinated waves of attacks against what it described as key US military assets located in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Iranian officials said the strikes targeted strategic facilities at Ali Al Salem Air Base and Ahmad Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, as well as military infrastructure associated with Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.
In a statement carried by Iran’s state-run media outlets, the IRGC asserted that eighteen significant US military targets were struck during the operation.
Iranian authorities claimed the attacks were aimed at weakening American military capabilities in the Gulf and sending a strong message in response to what Tehran described as continued US aggression.
The IRGC also announced that it had launched 12 ballistic missiles at the Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, which it identified as a major American command and control centre in the region.
Iranian officials characterised the operation as a “punitive response” against the United States and said the attack was specifically designed to target military command structures operating from the facility.
According to Iranian claims, the missile strikes focused on aircraft and military assets stationed at the Jordanian base, including advanced US fighter jets such as the F-15, F-16, and F-35.
However, independent verification of the extent of the reported damage was not immediately available.
The escalating hostilities have also had civilian consequences. Authorities in Bahrain reported damage to residential properties and vehicles in areas including Hamad Town and parts of Manama.
Officials said an 11-year-old girl sustained minor injuries during the incidents, highlighting the risks posed to civilians amid the growing regional confrontation.
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces had carried out what it described as defensive military operations against Iranian targets.
In an official statement, CENTCOM said the strikes focused on military surveillance networks, communication systems, and air defence installations that were believed to pose a threat to US personnel and international maritime traffic.
According to the US military, assets from the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy participated in the operation, employing precision-guided munitions against selected Iranian military sites.
American officials maintained that the targeted facilities were directly linked to threats against US forces stationed in the region as well as commercial vessels navigating key international waterways.
CENTCOM further stated that the military action was undertaken in response to what it called Iran’s ongoing and unjustified hostile activities.
The command emphasised that US forces remain fully prepared to protect their personnel, defend allied interests, and respond to any emerging threats in the region.
As tensions continue to rise, the latest exchange of strikes marks a significant escalation in the confrontation between Tehran and Washington, raising concerns about regional stability and the possibility of a broader conflict involving multiple countries across the Middle East.
