Kuwait engages hostile aerial targets; Jordan says it downed 4 missiles, Bahrain sounds sirens after Iran strikes
Kuwait City, July 13
As Iran launched strikes targeting US military bases in three countries in the region, Kuwait on Monday said its air defence systems were engaging "hostile aerial targets", while Jordan said it had intercepted four missiles fired from Iran.
Meanwhile, Bahrain sounded warning sirens.
The developments came after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday (local time) said it had targeted US military installations in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait as part of its ongoing "eye for an eye" operation in response to US military strikes in Iran.
In a post on X, the Kuwait Armed Forces released a statement saying it was currently engaging "hostile aerial targets" within Kuwaiti airspace.
The post said, "The Kuwait Armed Forces are currently engaging hostile aerial targets within Kuwaiti airspace."
The Armed Forces also said that "any explosion sounds" heard during the engagement were the result of air-defence systems intercepting the incoming strikes.
"The General Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces announces that any explosion sounds that may be heard are the result of the Air Defense systems intercepting hostile attacks," the post added.
It further urged the public to follow official guidance, saying, "The public is urged to follow the safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities."
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Jordan's military said it had intercepted and downed "four missiles that entered Jordanian airspace" after they were fired from Iranian territory.
In Bahrain, the Ministry of Interior, in a post on X, announced that warning sirens had been activated, stating, "The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."
The statements from Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain came hours after the IRGC claimed responsibility for strikes targeting military bases in the three countries as part of its retaliatory campaign following US strikes on Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
The developments came as US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a major wave of precision strikes across multiple locations in Iran on Sunday, targeting dozens of military installations to degrade Tehran's capability to disrupt international maritime trade.
The operations specifically targeted Iranian military air-defence systems, coastal radar infrastructure, missile and drone launch sites, and small tactical vessels. In a notable escalation of tactical deployment, US forces utilised a multi-domain assault force comprising fighter aircraft, naval combatants, and, for the first time, both one-way attack aerial drones and one-way attack sea drones.
According to a statement released by CENTCOM, the strikes were executed to protect the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime bottleneck. "The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it," the command stated.
The military action followed a sustained period of regional tensions, which Washington said included Iran's unwarranted aggression, illegal harassment and arbitrary threats against international commercial shipping.
The United States launched a fresh round of military strikes against Iran on Sunday (local time), with CENTCOM saying the operation was intended to further degrade Tehran's ability to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out on the direction of the Commander in Chief to hold Iranian forces accountable. "At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable," CENTCOM said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I have family in Bahrain. The sirens going off is terrifying. No one should have to live in fear like this. I just hope diplomacy prevails before more innocent lives are affected. War is not a solution, it never is. 🙏
While the US is saying they targeted only military sites to protect the Strait of Hormuz, these operations never stay surgical. Civilians always suffer. And for India, this is a nightmare scenario - our energy imports, our diaspora, our strategic interests all at risk. We need a neutral, peace-building role now more than ever.
The Strait of Hormuz is vital for global oil supplies, including for India. But launching strikes on three countries simultaneously seems like a massive escalation. Iran's response was predictable. This is how regional wars start - with everybody pointing fingers while the common man pays the price.
Kuwait engaging hostile targets... Jordan intercepting missiles... Bahrain sirens... This reads like a war bulletin, not news. The US says it's to 'protect shipping' but let's be real - this is about control of energy routes and regional dominance. India should not be dragged into any alliance. Stay neutral, focus on evacuating our people.
I'm just a student but even I can see this is insane. US hits Iran, Iran hits US bases in 3 countries, now everyone's air defences are up. What's the endgame here? Does anyone honestly think more bombs will make things better? The Middle East has suffered enough.
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