politics
U.S. Denies Iranian Claims of Strikes in Kuwait as Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Central Command rejected reports that three American service members were killed in Iranian strikes in Kuwait. The denial followed Iranian claims of drone attacks and coincided with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Jul 13, 11:31 AM·1m read1 source
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U.S. Central Command on Monday rejected Iranian claims that three American service members were killed in strikes in Kuwait. The command posted on X that the claims were false and that there are zero reports of U.S.
Service member deaths or injuries in the region. The post followed reports from Fars News Agency that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had destroyed two U.S. HIMARS systems at a base in Kuwait and killed three service members.
The base faced drone attacks early Monday morning targeting troop deployment areas, air defense and missile systems, shelters, and logistical facilities, Fars reported. Centcom on Sunday announced a third round of strikes to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran closed the strait, shutting down transit for 20 percent of the world's oil and gas exports.
Iranian officials said they shut it down after the IRGC struck the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy for using an unauthorized route. Ship traffic in the strait hit its lowest point in five weeks on Sunday, with six ships passing through, according to trade intelligence company Kpler. President Trump announced on Monday the resumption of the U.S.
Naval blockade in the strait. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. will be known as the Guardian of the Hormuz Strait and that the strait is open and will remain open with or without Iran. The latest exchange of fire came after Trump last week referenced an interim peace deal.
