By The United States carried out fresh strikes on an Iranian military site Wednesday night, triggering an immediate escalation as Kuwait reported intercepting incoming missiles and drones amid heightened regional tensions.
The US operation targeted a site near Bandar Abbas, close to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to officials familiar with the matter. The Pentagon described the strikes as defensive, aimed at neutralising threats to American forces and international shipping in the Gulf waterway.
In a rapid response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched retaliatory attacks on a US base in the region. Kuwait’s military stated early Thursday that its air defence systems had successfully intercepted multiple hostile missiles and drones, though it did not explicitly attribute the attack to Iran.
The latest exchange of fire comes as President Donald Trump has voiced frustration with diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting, Trump said Iran was eager for a deal but that Washington was not yet satisfied with the progress.
“We will be either that or we’ll have to just finish the job,” Trump remarked, according to officials present.
The White House has dismissed reports of any near-complete agreement with Tehran as “complete fabrication.”
Kuwait’s involvement marks a dangerous broadening of the conflict, raising fears that the fighting could draw in other Gulf states. The country lies directly across the Gulf from Iran, and any spillover could severely disrupt oil exports and regional stability.
Tensions have remained high since the US began striking Iranian targets in recent weeks. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil passes, has become a focal point of the confrontation.
Defence analysts warn that continued tit-for-tat attacks increase the risk of miscalculation. While both sides have so far described their actions as measured and retaliatory, the involvement of Kuwait’s airspace adds a new layer of complexity to efforts aimed at preventing a wider war.
No immediate casualties have been confirmed from the latest strikes, but the situation remains fluid with both Washington and Tehran on high alert. Diplomatic channels are reportedly still active, though prospects for de-escalation appear dim in the short term.
