US strikes Qeshm Island, claims Iran targeted Kuwait and Bahrain
Tensions escalated sharply in the Iran conflict as the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it carried out “self-defence” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island while also intercepting multiple Iranian missiles and drones targeting regional allies Kuwait and Bahrain.
According to CENTCOM, US forces responded to what it described as coordinated Iranian missile and drone attacks aimed at US military positions and allied infrastructure in the Gulf region. The US said it successfully shot down incoming projectiles and conducted retaliatory strikes on Iranian assets to neutralise further threats.
Kuwait’s military reported that its air defence systems intercepted several incoming drones and missiles, preventing major damage, while Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed that warning sirens were activated across parts of the country amid the attacks. Iranian media, meanwhile, released footage claiming retaliatory strikes on US military bases, including the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain—claims denied by US officials.
The conflict intensified further as reports emerged of disruptions across the Gulf, with civilian vessels affected and regional tensions rising. Japan also announced a $19 billion emergency budget to help households cope with rising energy and living costs linked to instability in the Middle East.
Diplomatic efforts remain underway, with discussions between Israel and Lebanon continuing in Washington, even as military exchanges between Iran and US-aligned forces deepen.a
