Iran attacked two Gulf countries with drones and missiles early Sunday morning, in what looks like the most serious escalation yet in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States.
Kuwait and Bahrain both said they came under attack in the early hours of Sunday. Kuwait’s military said its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles, while in Bahrain a residential building was struck by an Iranian drone, with smoke seen rising from the site.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed it had targeted US military facilities in both countries, including the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
Escalation over shipping routes
The current wave of attacks began with a dispute over shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran wants all ships to use a specific route close to its coastline.
Many vessels have been using a different route instead. After Iran attacked a Singapore-flagged cargo ship on Thursday, the US struck Iranian military targets in response. Iran struck back. The US struck again and the cycle has been escalating ever since.
Trump’s dire warning
President Trump responded to the latest Iranian attacks with a blunt message on Truth Social.
“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job,” he wrote.
“If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”
Iran’s foreign minister said Sunday that Iran alone controls the Strait of Hormuz and warned that outside interference would only make things worse.
Peace talks between the two sides are continuing but are described as making slow progress. Direct negotiations are expected to resume next week.
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