Iran says targeted US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain
Tehran, June 6
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Saturday that it attacked US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain earlier in the day in retaliation for US attacks on Qeshm Island and Sirik County in southern Iran.
In a statement on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC identified the targeted US bases as the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
At 1:30 a.m. local time on Saturday (2200 GMT Friday), four oil tankers, guided by the US army, sought to "illegally exit the Strait of Hormuz without coordination and paying attention to the IRGC Navy's frequent warnings," it said.
After the warnings, one of the oil tankers was targeted, and the rest of the "violating" vessels turned back, it said, adding that following the confrontation, US drones attacked communications towers on Qeshm Island and in Sirik County at 2:30 a.m. local time (2300 GMT Friday).
In response, IRGC's aerospace division immediately fired ballistic missiles at the Ali Al Salem Air Base and the remaining important facilities in the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, it said.
The US Central Command said in a post on the social platform X that US forces struck some of Iran's radar sites on Friday, reports Xinhua news agency.
The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces said that Kuwaiti air defence systems on Saturday intercepted missile and drone attacks.
Any explosions heard in different areas were the result of air defence systems intercepting "hostile targets," the General Staff said in a statement on X.
It urged the public to follow safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities.
The latest escalation came days after Kuwait accused Iran of launching 13 ballistic missiles and 17 drones toward the Gulf state.
On Wednesday, Kuwaiti authorities said one person was killed and 63 others injured in the attacks, which damaged facilities at Kuwait International Airport and temporarily disrupted air traffic.
Iran tightened its grip on the strait since February 28, when it barred safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory.
The United States has also imposed a naval blockade on the strait, preventing ships travelling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Both sides are way too trigger-happy. Iran claims retaliation for US strikes, but hitting bases in Kuwait and Bahrain—sovereign nations—is reckless. And the US isn't innocent either, launching attacks on Iranian territory without clear justification. Meanwhile, innocent civilians in Kuwait are getting killed. This isn't a game of chess; it's real lives being lost. The world needs to step in before this spirals into a full-blown regional war.
From an Indian perspective, this is deeply concerning. The Gulf is our extended neighborhood—our energy security, trade routes, and millions of our citizens are tied to this region. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is already a red flag. If oil prices spike again, it's our common man who will suffer at the petrol pump. India must remain neutral but proactive in calling for peace. Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
The IRGC's statement says they fired ballistic missiles at US bases, but somehow Kuwaiti air defense intercepted them. That's a lot of sophisticated hardware flying around. And 63 injured in Kuwait City? That's a significant civilian toll. I'm not taking sides—both the US and Iran have a history of aggression in this region. But it's the smaller Gulf states that pay the price every time.
I think we need to step back and look at the bigger picture. The US imposed a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran responded by tightening its grip—this is a classic tit-for-tat escalation. Both sides are acting like they own the sea lanes. What about international law? Freedom of navigation is a principle, not a privilege. India relies on these waters for trade, so we should be part of any multilateral solution. Strong diplomacy, not more missiles.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.