Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force has conducted missile and drone strikes against key infrastructure at four US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, retaliating for American strikes on Tehran, according to Press TV.
Targeted Bases and Attack Details
The IRGC, in a statement on Thursday, identified the targeted outposts as Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and Juffair and Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. The facilities were hit using a joint missile and drone strike launched by IRGC naval and aerospace forces.
State broadcaster IRIB reported that the strikes directly impacted the US 5th Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain. Ballistic missiles were launched from Bushehr, the same city targeted by the US hours earlier. The Kuwait Army confirmed its air defenses were intercepting incoming missiles and drones.
IRGC Condemns US Attacks
The IRGC condemned the US attacks, calling them a “violation of commitments” and affirming its resolve to fight against the “child-killing US military.” According to Press TV, the IRGC stated, “The treacherous US, once again violating its commitments, launched attacks on multiple locations in Iran's southern coastal provinces. In another anti-civilian act, it also targeted two bridges in the country's eastern provinces leading to the holy city of Mashhad in an attempt to overshadow the martyred Leader's farewell ceremony.”
The Corps described the American action, occurring during the funeral ceremonies of the slain former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a crime intended to “awaken people around the world.” The IRGC statement read, “They fail to realise that such crimes will only further awaken people around the world and strengthen their resolve to play a greater role in the struggle against the 'Great Satan.'”
Warning of Expanded Strikes
The IRGC affirmed that the US military action will meet with a “crushing response” from Iran, warning of expansion of strikes against American bases if the attacks continue. “Fighters of Islam will not leave the aggression of the child-killing US military unanswered. We warn the child-killing US military that if it repeats its acts of aggression, its crushing response will be expanded to include other American bases across the region,” the statement said.
Context of the Attacks
The Iranian action follows US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcing on Wednesday that its forces had started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following recent attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews. In a post on X, US CENTCOM said, “At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Meanwhile, Iran's southern port city of Chabahar experienced power cuts after US airstrikes, according to CNN citing Iranian state media. Explosions were also reported in the city of Bushehr, CNN reported, citing the semi-official Fars news agency.
