Iran Launches Drone and Missile Strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait

Iran launched drone and missile strikes targeting locations in Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday. Iran stated the attacks aimed at U.S. military facilities in those countries and came in retaliation for prior U.S.

Airstrikes on Iranian surveillance, communication, air defense, and drone facilities near the Strait of Hormuz. No casualties were reported in Bahrain or Kuwait. Kuwait’s military said its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles shortly after the U.S.

Strikes. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported damage to an eight-story residential building near the international airport but confirmed no deaths or injuries occurred. Iran threatened a complete halt to negotiations with the United States if Washington continues its attacks.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that any attempt to establish new shipping arrangements without Iranian oversight would lead to further complications, delay the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and increase tension. An Iranian drone struck a merchant vessel off Oman before the U.S. strikes, according to reporting.

In recent days Iran has twice attacked vessels transiting a route on the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz. A multinational maritime body overseen by the U.S. Navy announced it would expand a commercial transit route near Oman.

A memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month gave the U.S. and Iran 60 days to finalize an interim deal covering shipping arrangements, sanctions relief, and Iran’s uranium stockpile. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait.