Bahrain, Kuwait condemn Iranian attacks after US strikes, warn of dangerous escalation

Bahrain and Kuwait on Saturday condemned renewed Iranian attacks on their territories, as tensions escalated again despite an existing ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.

Bahrain, which hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, denounced the strikes targeting both its territory and neighbouring Kuwait. Kuwaiti authorities described the attacks as a serious threat to the safety of residents and a violation of national sovereignty.

In a statement, Kuwait’s foreign ministry said the strikes represented a “dangerous escalation” and amounted to a clear breach of the country’s sovereignty, endangering the lives of citizens and expatriates alike.

Bahrain also reported coming under Iranian missile fire, adding to concerns that Gulf states are increasingly being drawn into the regional conflict.

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Earlier on Friday, the United States military said Iran launched seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, hours after four Iranian attack drones were intercepted before reaching their targets.

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), six of the missiles were successfully intercepted, while the seventh failed to reach its intended destination.

CENTCOM said there were no reports of injuries among US personnel and dismissed Iranian claims that the attacks had damaged the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out missile strikes against what they described as “enemy bases”, following US military operations that reportedly targeted radar facilities inside Iran and intercepted drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest exchanges underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire that took effect on April 8 after a conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Although the truce has largely held, Gulf countries have continued to face intermittent attacks during ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a permanent end to hostilities and restoring normal shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

With inputs from agencies