The United States military hit over 80 targets during its latest strikes on Iran, US Central Command said, in response to Tehran’s attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as air sirens sounded in Bahrain on Wednesday and the Kuwaiti army said it was responding to missile and drone attacks.
NATO chief Mark Rutte said the overnight strikes on Iran by US forces were “absolutely necessary,” as the alliance began a key summit in Ankara.
“US forces struck Iranian defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait,” the US military said in a statement posted to X.
In Bahrain, its Interior Ministry said air sirens were activated on Wednesday after US strikes on dozens of targets in Iran further shook efforts to end the Middle East war.
“The siren has been sounded,” the ministry said on X, without giving details of the apparent threat. “Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.”
The Kuwaiti army said it was responding to missile and drone attacks, after Iran threatened retaliation for a wave of US strikes.
“Kuwaiti air defenses are currently engaging hostile missile and drone attacks,” the army said on X. “The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they had hit dozens of US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to American strikes, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.
“In an initial response to this aggression, the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force carried out a joint missile and drone operation, striking 85 key US military facilities” in the two countries, while also shooting down an MQ-9 drone, the statement said.
Meanwhile, NATO chief Mark Rutte told journalists, “I think it was absolutely necessary because when you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire — we see what happened yesterday with ships being attacked — I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react,” he told journalists.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the United States has repeatedly violated their agreed memorandum of understanding, and warned retaliation following Washington’s strikes on targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran is issuing a serious warning about the consequences of America’s breach of the treaty, and will take decisive measures to protect its interests and national security,” the ministry said in a statement posted to Telegram by IRIB News.
This comes after the US Treasury Department on Tuesday revoked a license that temporarily lifted oil sanctions on Iran, calling Tehran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz “wholly unacceptable.”
The waiver announced in June had originally allowed the Islamic republic to produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products through August 21.
“Iran’s actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the US and will be met with consequences,” a US official said, after attacks on tankers in the key waterway.
The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that its memorandum of understanding with Iran “is entirely performance-based,” warning that Tehran will only see benefits if it shows “good behavior.” But the official maintained, “Our negotiators continue to work in good faith toward a final deal.”
Washington’s move came after three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel, were struck within hours in the Strait of Hormuz, according to maritime monitors and Qatar. Peace mediator Doha denounced an “unacceptable” Iranian attack.
The first vessel was struck by a projectile of unknown nature while sailing off the coast of Oman, causing a fire, according to the UKMTO. Two other vessels were subsequently attacked, at least one by a drone.
The three ships were attacked near the coast of Oman, which had proposed a temporary shipping lane along its coastline—an initiative opposed by Iran, which seeks to impose fees on ships using this narrow waterway.
Qatar condemned Iran for an attack on one of its liquefied natural gas tankers as was transiting off the coast of Oman.
“The targeting of the Qatari vessel ‘Al-Rekayyat’ while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security & safety of international maritime navigation,” foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari wrote on X adding Qatar holds Iran “fully legally responsible for this attack & for any resulting damages & consequences”.
Qatar summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador to lodge a complaint after an attack on a Qatari LNG tanker as it was transiting off the coast of Oman. Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for an attack on one of its tankers, after Qatar issued a similar condemnation for another attack it accused Tehran of committing. (AFP)
