Iran has launched a series of strikes on United States military installations across the Gulf region, characterizing the move as a direct response to US attacks conducted overnight. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported targeting the Al Azra base in Jordan and the Ali al-Salam base in Kuwait.
In Bahrain, warning sirens were sounded and the public was advised to take shelter as explosions were reported near the US Fifth Fleet, which was reportedly targeted by drones. These strikes followed a US Central Command (CENTCOM) operation that used precision munitions to target Iranian air defense ground control stations and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz, including locations at Surk Port, Qeshm Island, and Bandar Abbas.
The US strikes were described by Washington as a proportional response to the recent downing of an Apache helicopter and ongoing attacks on international commercial shipping.
While US President Donald Trump attributed the helicopter’s downing to Iranian forces, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister denied any deliberate attack on the aircraft and condemned the US strikes as a violation of national sovereignty. Beyond the strikes on land bases, the IRGC also claimed its naval forces conducted attacks targeting at least 21 US vessels across the region.
The inclusion of Jordan in this round of strikes marks a significant expansion of the conflict’s geographic scope. While Kuwait and Bahrain have seen recent flare-ups, Jordan had not been a target of Iranian strikes since the early stages of the conflict.
The IRGC specifically claimed to have hit hangars for F-35 fighter jets and a command and control center in Jordan. Although Jordan’s armed forces confirmed the interception of five missiles and reported no casualties or material damage, the specificity of the targets indicates a potential return to a more consistent and dynamic conflict.
In addition to the physical strikes, Iran has issued a stern warning to its neighbors on the southern shores of the Gulf. The IRGC stated that these countries have a “legal and moral responsibility” to prevent their territories from being used by the US or Israel for operations against Iran.
Tehran warned that it will not hesitate to target the sources of attacks and any logistical facilities used to support aggressive operations, cautioning that further US attacks would meet with “crushing and regrettable” responses. This escalation follows a period of high tension, including an attack one week prior that resulted in severe damage to the international terminal at Kuwait International Airport.
