Iran attacked bases in Bahrain and Kuwait after U.S. strikes

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Iran launched attacks on U.S. military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait following American strikes against Iranian positions in response to earlier incidents involving tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for launching rockets and drones targeting military installations in Bandar Salman and the Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The attack reportedly destroyed an American drone, prompting air raid alerts in both Bahrain and Kuwait. The Kuwaiti military stated it had activated its anti-air defenses to counter the assault.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American forces conducted attacks on more than 80 targets within Iran during the night preceding the incident. These included Iranian air defense systems, command and communication networks, coastal radar systems, anti-ship missiles, and over 60 fast boats belonging to the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas. The operation aimed to hinder further Iranian attacks on international maritime traffic through one of the world's most critical trade routes. According to CENTCOM, these actions were classified as offensive rather than defensive, unlike previous operations in late June which were described as self-defense measures. The U.S. military emphasized that these attacks were in response to what they deemed an unprovoked aggression by Iranian forces, a violation of the ceasefire agreement, and a threat to freedom of navigation.

According to two unnamed U.S. officials, the current operation was significantly broader than the previous ones in late June when the United States took military action due to Iranian activities in the Strait of Hormuz. However, those earlier actions were limited to avoid jeopardizing the memorandum of understanding between the two countries. The U.S. assessed that this latest operation targeted port infrastructure, missile and drone bases, coastal surveillance systems, and air defense capabilities.

In response to the U.S. attacks, Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, known as the Kata' al-Anbia headquarters, condemned the actions as “clear acts of aggression” and warned of a “destructive response.” It also asserted that Tehran would not allow U.S. interference in the management of the strait. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the head of Iran’s parliament, accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement, citing not only recent U.S. military strikes but also renewed sanctions on oil, Iran’s adjustments in the Strait of Hormuz, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. He declared on social media that the era of intimidation and coercion had ended and that Iran would not yield.

An official from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to state media agency Fars, labeled the U.S. operation a serious breach of the memorandum of understanding signed last month. He stated that Iran would take decisive measures to protect its national interests and security while seriously warning about the consequences of the U.S. violation of the agreement.

Meanwhile, the Iranian government criticized the decision by Washington to revoke the permit for the sale of Iranian oil, which was one of the key elements of the memorandum. This move has been seen as a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, July 7, 2026, an unknown projectile struck a tanker near the coast of Oman close to the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire aboard the vessel. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident, noting that there were no casualties or environmental damage reported. The incident occurred approximately 14 kilometers off the northernmost part of Oman near the town of Limah. The tanker, traveling southward, reported that its left side had been hit by an unidentified projectile, leading to a fire. The French news agency AFP cited the incident, urging ships to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.

American media outlet Axios reported that Iran had fired at least two missiles at commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid ongoing tensions in the region since the start of the war in the Middle East, which began with U.S.-Israeli aggression in late February. At that time, Iran closed the strategic waterway, causing a surge in global energy prices. In response, the United States imposed blockades on Iranian ports.

Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, the strategic maritime route was reopened. However, Tehran insists that the arrangement will not be the same as before the conflict, when ships could freely pass through the strait. This ongoing dispute highlights the fragile nature of the current ceasefire and the potential for further escalations in the region.