Air raid sirens trigger alerts across Gulf states
TEHRAN/MANAMA: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility on Thursday for missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, marking another sharp escalation in regional tensions.
Air raid sirens sounded twice across Bahrain, with the Interior Ministry confirming the alerts. Bahrain News Agency reported that the warnings were triggered by incoming Iranian missiles. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted rockets and drones aimed at the country, adding that security forces remained on high alert.
At the same time, residents in Qatar received emergency security alerts on their mobile phones after authorities detected a potential threat. However, officials issued an all-clear roughly 10 minutes later, stating that the danger had been eliminated without further incident.
Iran links attacks to US military action
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the strikes were carried out in response to US attacks on military sites in southern Iran earlier the same day.
In a statement posted on X, Ghalibaf warned Washington that military action against Iran would carry consequences. He also asserted that security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz would remain under Iranian control, rejecting what he described as American pressure over the strategic waterway.
Shortly afterward, multiple international media outlets reported that the IRGC officially claimed responsibility for attacks on two US military bases in Bahrain and two additional bases in Kuwait.
Regional tensions remain high
The latest exchange has intensified concerns over regional stability, as Gulf states continue to strengthen defensive measures amid fears of further escalation. Authorities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar have maintained heightened security while monitoring developments closely.
The attacks follow a series of confrontations between Iran and the United States, raising fresh uncertainty over maritime security, regional military activity and the prospects for renewed diplomatic engagement.
