Iranian missile targeting Kuwait "successfully intercepted": US
Washington DC, May 28
The United States Central Command on Thursday confirmed that a ballistic missile launched from Iran targeted Kuwait during the broader exchange of hostilities between Washington and Tehran amid the fragile ceasefire, adding that the missile was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces.
In a post on X, CENTCOM described the incident as an "egregious ceasefire violation," hours after it stated that multiple aerial threats were launched by the Islamic Republic in the region.
"At 10:17 p.m. ET on May 27, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait that was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces. This egregious ceasefire violation by the Iranian regime occurred hours after Iranian forces launched five one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat in and near the Strait of Hormuz," the post read.
Iran's action on Kuwait came after the US carried out strikes on the Islamic Republic, CBS News reported, citing a US official who described the action as "defensive" and aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
According to CBS News, US forces shot down four Iranian drones and struck a ground control station in the port city of Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth drone.
The official added that despite the latest exchange, the US-Iran ceasefire was still considered to be holding.
Following the strikes, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched early-morning strikes at an American base. However, it did not share the name or provide specific details of the attack.
"Following the pre-dawn aggression today by the invading American army against a point on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport using aerial projectiles, the American airbase, as the origin of the aggression, was targeted at 4:50 a.m.," IRGC stated in its statement.
The Kuwaiti Army later said its air defence systems were actively engaging "hostile" missile and drone attacks, with interception responsible for explosions heard in parts of the country.
In a post on X, the military confirmed that air defence operations were ongoing and urged the public to remain calm and follow official instructions issued by authorities.
"Kuwaiti air defences are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks," the post read.
CENTCOM's post confirms that the attacks targeting Kuwait came from the Islamic Republic.
CENTCOM further said all incoming drones were intercepted by US forces, which also prevented a sixth drone launch originating from a ground control site in Bandar Abbas.
"All drones were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces, which also prevented a sixth drone launch from an Iranian ground control site in Bandar Abbas," it said.
The US Central Command also said that it, along with regional partners, remains vigilant and "measured" while continuing to defend personnel and interests amid what it called "unjustified Iranian aggression".
— ANI
Reader Comments
The US claims self-defence but striking Bandar Abbas airport is provocative. Iran retaliating by targeting Kuwait is worrying for the entire region. Why should innocent nations pay for superpower rivalries? 😔 We need de-escalation, not more strikes.
As someone who lived through the Gulf War, this is alarming. Iran launching ballistic missiles at Kuwait is no joke - we saw what happened in 1990 with Iraq. Kuwaiti forces performed well but this shows the ceasefire isn't worth the paper it's written on. US and Iran need to stop playing with fire in the Gulf.
The CENTCOM statement is interesting - they call it an "egregious ceasefire violation" but their own strikes happened first. This tit-for-tat escalation is dangerous. India should quietly be working with both sides to calm things down, given our strategic interests in Iran and ties with the US.
Yemen and Gaza already burning, now this? Middle East just can't catch a break 🌍 Iran's IRGC statements never have full details, which makes their claims suspicious. Kuwait did well to defend itself but this shows no country in the Gulf is truly safe from regional conflicts.
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