Iran Strikes Eight US Bases in the Gulf
Tehran has escalated its response to United States military actions by announcing an operation involving missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) that allegedly targeted eight US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain. The attack was announced following new US airstrikes on southern Iranian territory in the early hours of Sunday.
This exchange of attacks represents one of the most serious military confrontations between Tehran and Washington since the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities and pave the way for negotiations towards a permanent agreement.
According to Almayadeen, Iran considers the US military operation a violation of the memorandum of understanding and international law. Tehran has also warned that further attacks have the potential to derail the ongoing diplomatic process.
In a statement released before dawn on Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its naval and aerospace forces launched a joint operation between 02:00 and 03:00 local time.
The IRGC claimed that ballistic missiles and drones struck eight US military facilities, including Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Mina Salman, Bahrain.
According to the IRGC, these targets were destroyed as a “firm response to recent American aggression”. However, the statement did not detail the other six locations. To date, there has been no confirmation from the US government regarding these claims.
The IRGC also accused Washington of violating its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum. They claim the US attacked five Iranian coastal locations under the pretext of responding to Iranian actions in intercepting a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Revolutionary Guard asserted that, based on Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum, the authority to regulate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz lies with the Islamic Republic of Iran. They warned that vessels violating these provisions will face more stringent law enforcement actions.
Iran further warned that any subsequent US attacks, including those against secondary targets, will be met with what they described as a “crippling response”.