Tensions Escalate as Iran Launches Missile Attack on Kuwait Amid Ceasefire Violations
US Military Condemns Iranian Missile Strike
Dubai: On Thursday, the US military criticized Iran for breaching a delicate ceasefire after Kuwait reported missile attacks, escalating tensions that jeopardize ongoing peace negotiations.
The US Central Command stated that Kuwait successfully intercepted missiles launched by Iran late Wednesday, labeling the Iranian assault on a key US ally in the Persian Gulf as an "egregious violation of the ceasefire."
Earlier, Kuwait had confirmed an attack on its territory, with Iran claiming it retaliated against strikes from earlier in the week by targeting a US base in an unnamed Gulf state.
Throughout the week, the US and Iran have exchanged strikes, despite President Donald Trump expressing optimism about progress in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
On Monday, the Pentagon reported that the US executed "defensive" strikes on missile launch sites and minelaying vessels in southern Iran. US officials later revealed that additional strikes were carried out, including the downing of four drones that posed a threat near the strait and targeting an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch another drone.
Officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, were not authorized to comment publicly.
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard confirmed the attack near Bandar Abbas International Airport through the state-run IRNA news agency, stating it retaliated against the air base responsible for the initial assault, although it did not clarify if the attack was directed at Kuwait.
Kuwait's military reported that its air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones on Thursday but did not provide specific details about the targets. As the forward headquarters of US Army Central, Kuwait has frequently faced attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq prior to the ceasefire in April.
This announcement comes at a time when the Middle East is experiencing heightened tensions, and negotiations to conclude the war remain uncertain.
Trump aims to secure an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for about 20% of global oil and natural gas trade. He also seeks to compel Iran to relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while Iran demands the lifting of economic sanctions and the release of frozen assets to support its struggling economy. The war has faced significant unpopularity in the US, and Iran's closure of the strait has led to soaring oil prices, impacting fuel costs worldwide.