Iran launched missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early Sunday, hours after President Donald Trump threatened to eliminate the Iranian leadership if they did not adhere to the interim agreement to end hostilities.
Trump's Warning and Iran's Response
Trump stated on social media, “There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”
The 14-point interim peace accord was designed to halt the fighting, which began on February 28 between the US and Israel against Iran, and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while negotiations continued on Iran's nuclear program. About an hour after Trump's post, Kuwait's army reported that its air defenses were responding to missile and drone attacks, while Bahrain confirmed sirens had sounded.
IRGC Claims Responsibility
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying its navy and air forces had conducted missile and drone operations targeting US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain. According to state-run Press TV, the IRGC said US strikes had violated the ceasefire and “will result in the complete halt of all diplomatic processes.” The IRGC navy command warned that American bases in the region “will experience hell in the coming days.”
A US official confirmed the attacks on US facilities, noting no reported US casualties or major damage to US sites in West Asia, but the situation was still unfolding. Hours later, alarms sounded again in Bahrain, where authorities said an Iranian attack damaged a residential building in Muharraq province, with no casualties reported. Bahrain urged the UN Security Council to hold an urgent session to hold Iran accountable. The Kuwaiti army said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles with no damage or casualties.
Diplomatic Fallout
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that responsibility for returning maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels lies solely with Tehran and urged others not to intervene “in Iran’s administration of the Strait.”
Pakistan and Bahrain discussed the “latest regional situation” amid renewed attacks. Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani held a telephonic conversation. Al Zayani appreciated Pakistan's constructive role in facilitating understanding, expressing hope that it would contribute to lasting peace and stability. Dar reiterated Islamabad's resolve to promote dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability.
Pakistan also said it was considering importing cheaper oil and gas from Iran following the easing of sanctions by the US, allowing Tehran a 60-day waiver to export oil.
