Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it has carried out a large-scale missile and drone operation targeting 85 US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, describing the attacks as retaliation for overnight American strikes on Iranian territory.
According to a statement carried by Iranian state media, the operation was launched jointly by the IRGC’s naval and aerospace forces after the United States struck more than 80 targets inside Iran. Tehran accused Washington of violating an existing ceasefire arrangement and vowed to respond decisively.
The IRGC also claimed that Iranian air defenses shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over southern Iran during the confrontation. Iranian media further reported that a member of the IRGC Navy was killed in what it described as an enemy drone attack.
Air raid sirens were activated in Bahrain, while Kuwait said its armed forces responded to incoming missile and drone threats. Regional authorities have not immediately released detailed assessments of damage or casualties.
US Central Command confirmed it had carried out strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets, saying the operation was in response to attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. American officials said the strikes were aimed at imposing “heavy costs” on Iran for threatening international shipping.
Iran, however, rejected the US justification, insisting Washington’s military action breached previous understandings between the two countries. Iranian officials also argued that continued regional hostilities had undermined diplomatic efforts to stabilize the Gulf.
The renewed exchange of fire has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict involving Gulf states that host US military installations. Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, while Kuwait hosts several major American military bases.
As of publication, Iran’s claims about the scale and effectiveness of the strikes have not been independently verified, and US authorities have not confirmed the reported number of sites hit or any resulting damage. The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to exchange accusations over responsibility for the latest escalation.
