Iran strike claim raises Gulf alert

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had launched missile strikes on “enemy bases in the region” after US forces hit targets near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing Gulf states into a new security alert as sirens sounded in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Guard commanders framed the operation as retaliation for US strikes on Iranian coastal positions around Sirik and Qeshm Island, both close to one of the world’s most sensitive energy corridors. US forces said earlier action against Iranian radar and surveillance sites followed the launch of drones towards shipping lanes in and around the Strait of Hormuz. All the drones were reported intercepted before reaching targets.

Seven ballistic missiles were fired towards US-linked facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, with most intercepted by regional air defence systems and one failing before impact. Iran claimed it had targeted Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. US officials denied damage to the Bahrain facility and said there were no American casualties from the latest salvo.

Kuwait activated air raid sirens and emergency alerts across parts of the country as air defences engaged incoming threats. Bahrain also issued warnings after explosions were reported and residents were told to follow civil defence instructions. Gulf governments moved quickly to reassure the public that airports, ports and energy infrastructure remained under monitoring, though heightened security measures caused disruption to aviation and maritime operations.

The exchange marks one of the sharpest escalations since Washington and Tehran began indirect efforts to stabilise a fragile ceasefire that has been under strain for weeks. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes, remains central to the confrontation. Any sustained threat to shipping there would have immediate consequences for crude prices, insurance costs, tanker routing and Gulf export schedules.

US forces described their strikes on Iranian coastal sites as defensive, saying the targeted installations were linked to surveillance and targeting systems that could threaten commercial shipping and allied military assets. Iran rejected that account, calling the attacks a violation of its sovereignty and warning that any assault near its southern coast would be answered beyond its borders.

Tehran’s use of the IRGC Aerospace Force underlines the role of missiles and drones as its main tools of pressure against US positions and Gulf-based military infrastructure. The Guard has invested heavily in ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and one-way attack drones, allowing it to threaten bases, ports and vessels without relying on conventional air power.

Washington has maintained that its objective is to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and prevent Iranian attacks on regional maritime traffic. US naval assets operating from Bahrain and other regional facilities have been placed at the centre of that mission, making them likely targets whenever Iran seeks to signal that it can raise the cost of American military action.

Kuwait and Bahrain face particular exposure because they host key US military facilities while also depending on regional stability for aviation, trade and energy flows. Kuwait’s earlier airport disruptions and damage linked to Iranian strikes had already sharpened domestic concern about the conflict spilling into civilian spaces. Authorities have urged residents to avoid spreading unverified footage and to rely on official safety instructions during alerts.

Oil markets are expected to react sharply if the fighting threatens regular tanker passage through Hormuz. Even limited exchanges near the waterway can lift freight rates and war-risk premiums, while shipping firms may delay departures or reroute vessels if commanders judge that drones, missiles or naval harassment pose unacceptable risks.

Diplomatic channels remain active, but the latest strikes have narrowed room for compromise. Iran has tied any durable de-escalation to sanctions relief, access to frozen revenues and limits on US military action near its coast. Washington has demanded an end to attacks on regional bases, allied states and shipping lanes before any broader arrangement can advance.