KUWAIT CITY — Iran launched missile and drone strikes on US military bases in Kuwait on Thursday, marking the latest retaliation in a renewed cycle of violence with the United States. The attacks followed a Tuesday night US assault on southern Iran that killed 18 people, including four at a wedding near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian health officials.
Kuwait’s military confirmed intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks from Iran, while Iranian state media claimed strikes targeted US bases in Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The US military has not independently confirmed damage to its facilities in Kuwait or other countries.
Immediate Impact and Casualties
Iran reported 18 deaths and 108 injuries in Tuesday’s US strikes, with the Iranian Red Crescent stating that four people were killed and 67 wounded at a wedding ceremony near the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated its strikes targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets, and mine-laying capabilities in response to recent IRGC attacks on commercial shipping and US service members.
Iranian state media claimed US strikes hit a wedding party, a charge denied by CENTCOM, which reiterated that the US military does not target civilians. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the US strikes as a "war crime."
Regional and Economic Fallout
The renewed hostilities have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, with only four commodity vessels transiting the strait on Wednesday, compared to a 10-day average of 13. Brent crude futures fell 0.45% to $95.2 per barrel, while WTI crude dropped 0.26% to $90.77, as investors assessed the impact on global oil supplies.
Iran has added more vessels to a list of non-compliant ships, subjecting them to fines, confiscation, or detention if they attempt to transit the strait. Two oil tankers were disabled by sea mines earlier this week, according to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
US and Iranian Positions
US President Donald Trump stated the US is prepared to launch further strikes "any time we want", describing Tuesday’s assault as a "very heavy attack" that targeted new Iranian military equipment. Trump added that the renewed campaign would not last "too long" and suggested Iran’s economy is collapsing. He also called on Iranians to "rise up and fight" against their government.
Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned the US that Iran had adopted a "new strategy" that would "shatter" American foundations. Iranian state media reported that US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE were targeted in retaliation for the Tuesday strikes.
Diplomatic and Domestic Pressures
US allies in the region, including Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, with Jordan’s military shooting down 10 ballistic missiles. The US has faced growing domestic criticism, with a University of Massachusetts Amherst poll showing two-thirds of respondents disapproving of Trump’s handling of the Iran war.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly pushing to limit the conflict’s escalation ahead of November’s midterm elections, aiming to prevent further Republican losses tied to the unpopular war. Trump acknowledged the political sensitivity but stated he is focused on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Background: The Seven-Month Conflict
The latest escalation ends a monthlong lull in fighting, with the war now in its seventh month. The conflict began with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February, targeting what the US described as IRGC aggression in the Strait of Hormuz. Since then, Iran has maintained a blockade of the strait, disrupting global oil flows, while the US has conducted periodic strikes in response to IRGC actions.
No confirmed exchanges of fire have occurred since midday Wednesday, raising tentative signs that the latest flare-up may be easing. However, the situation remains volatile, with both sides signaling readiness for further military action.