DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Iran launched missile and drone attacks against US-linked military installations in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday, according to Iranian state media, in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Major Escalation
The latest exchange marks one of the most significant escalations since a ceasefire between Iran and the United States took effect in April, raising fresh concerns about the durability of diplomatic efforts aimed at ending months of conflict. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted the US military’s Al-Azraq base in Jordan, as well as other locations in the Gulf region. Iranian media reported that more than 20 targets were selected as part of the operation.
The attacks came hours after the US military conducted strikes against Iranian air defence systems, surveillance radars and command facilities near the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the operation was carried out in response to the downing of a US Apache helicopter near the strategic waterway. President Donald Trump defended the military action, saying the response needed to be “very strong” following the helicopter incident.
Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait Respond
Jordan’s armed forces said air defence units intercepted and destroyed five missiles fired towards the Al-Azraq military base. Authorities reported no casualties or material damage, although debris from the interceptions fell inside Jordanian territory. In Kuwait, military officials said air defence systems were activated to engage suspected hostile aerial targets. Bahrain also reported heightened security measures after warning sirens sounded across parts of the country. A US official said preliminary assessments indicated that nearly all Iranian missiles and drones had been intercepted and that there were no immediate reports of casualties among American personnel.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Focal Point
The confrontation followed a US military operation near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies. Iranian media reported explosions near Qeshm Island, Sirik, Bandar Abbas and Jask. The US military said an Apache helicopter had gone down near Oman’s coast while on patrol. Both crew members were rescued and reported to be in stable condition. While US officials attributed the incident to an Iranian drone attack, Tehran denied conducting offensive air operations in the area during the previous 24 hours.
Peace Efforts Face Renewed Pressure
The latest violence threatens to complicate negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that began in February following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Although a ceasefire announced in April halted large-scale fighting, tensions have remained high. The renewed hostilities also rattled energy markets, with oil prices rising in early Asian trading amid fears of further disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that previously handled around one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies. Despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, the latest exchange reflected the fragility of the ceasefire and the challenges facing efforts to secure a lasting settlement. The international community has called for restraint, but the risk of a wider regional war continues to grow. The attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait mark a dangerous expansion of the conflict beyond direct US-Iran exchanges. The coming days will determine whether diplomatic channels can prevent a full-blown war. The world watches with bated breath as the region teeters on the brink. The need for de-escalation has never been more urgent. The lives of millions depend on wise decisions in the hours ahead. The time for diplomacy is now. The cost of failure is too high. The hope for peace must not be abandoned. The leaders must act before it is too late. The future of the region hangs in the balance. The world is watching. The hope endures. Peace is still possible. The leaders must choose it. The alternative is too terrible. The time for action is now. The attacks must stop. The negotiations must resume. The ceasefire must hold. The world demands it. The people deserve it. The leaders must deliver it
