TEHRAN: US and Iranian forces have exchanged attacks in the Gulf region, further testing an already fragile ceasefire agreement. The US military reported that it struck Iranian drone systems and radar installations, while Iran responded by launching missiles at American bases in the region.
US Central Command (Centcom) said Iranian forces had deployed four one-way attack drones toward the Strait of Hormuz, which it described as an immediate threat to commercial shipping. According to Centcom, all drones were intercepted and destroyed.
Iran, however, accused the US of violating the ceasefire, calling the strikes on its radar sites in Sirik and Qeshm Island a clear breach of the agreement and an infringement on its sovereignty. Tehran also said the action disregarded international law and the UN Charter.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted “enemy bases” in retaliation, firing ballistic missiles at US facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. Iranian state media reported the attacks.
Centcom stated that seven missiles were launched at US-linked sites, adding that six were intercepted while one failed to reach its target. Bahrain and Kuwait said their air defenses successfully neutralized the incoming threats.
Several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, also condemned the Iranian strikes against neighboring countries, expressing concern over regional escalation.
The exchange marks a significant escalation in tensions despite the ongoing ceasefire efforts between Washington and Tehran.
(Inputs from BBC)
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