By Reuters and Al Jazeera
DOHA, July 9 – Iran launched missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar on Thursday, retaliating against a fresh wave of American airstrikes that targeted Iranian military installations and further intensifying a conflict that has pushed the Middle East closer to a wider regional war.
Air defence systems were activated across the Gulf as explosions and sirens were reported near military facilities hosting U.S. forces. Authorities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar urged residents to remain indoors while emergency services assessed the situation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attacks were a direct response to what it described as U.S. aggression against Iranian territory. The military said it had targeted American military assets in the three Gulf states and warned that any further U.S. attacks would trigger a stronger response.
The retaliation followed overnight U.S. strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, including air defence systems, missile launch sites and coastal installations near the Strait of Hormuz. Washington said the operation was aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and protecting international shipping through the strategic waterway.
Iranian state media reported explosions in several southern cities, including Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, saying military facilities had been hit. Officials condemned the U.S. attacks as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and pledged that Tehran would continue to defend itself.
U.S. officials said American forces and regional allies had successfully intercepted several incoming missiles and drones, though assessments of damage were still underway. There was no immediate confirmation of casualties at U.S. military installations in the Gulf.
The latest exchange marked a significant expansion of hostilities, bringing Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar directly into the confrontation. The three Gulf states host major U.S. military bases that play a critical role in American operations across the Middle East.
The escalation came after U.S. President Donald Trump adopted a more confrontational stance toward Tehran, warning that additional military action remained an option if Iran continued to threaten U.S. personnel, regional allies or international shipping.
Diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict appeared increasingly uncertain as regional mediators appealed for restraint and renewed dialogue. Governments across the Middle East called for an immediate de-escalation, warning that continued military exchanges could destabilise the region and endanger global energy supplies.
The renewed fighting has also heightened concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Nearly one fifth of global oil shipments pass through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a significant risk to international energy markets.
Oil prices remained volatile as investors monitored developments, while analysts warned that further attacks involving Gulf states could increase the likelihood of broader regional military involvement.
International leaders have continued to urge Washington and Tehran to return to diplomatic negotiations, warning that the growing cycle of retaliation risks triggering a prolonged conflict with far reaching consequences for regional stability and the global economy.
Sources: Reuters and Al Jazeera.
Sources: Reuters and Al Jazeera.
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