US, Iran Exchange Strikes as Drones Hit Kuwait Airport/Image@BBC
In a significant escalation of military actions, the United States has conducted “self-defense” strikes on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, responding to what it described as attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East.
The US Central Command (Centcom) reported that Iranian forces launched two ballistic missiles at Kuwait and three at Bahrain, all of which were either intercepted or disintegrated before reaching their targets.
Tragically, one individual was killed and over 60 others injured in Kuwait when drones struck multiple locations, including the international airport.
Brigadier General, Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, spokesperson for Kuwait’s defense ministry, condemned the assault as “criminal Iranian aggression,” while the foreign ministry noted damage to infrastructure, including diplomatic facilities.
Centcom confirmed that the US strikes targeted an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island.
Additionally, US forces intercepted three attack drones aimed at “civilian mariners” navigating regional waters.
Earlier, Centcom had reported disabling an unladen oil tanker that was heading towards Iran as part of a naval blockade initiated on April 13.
The US military engaged the Botswana-flagged M/T vessel with a Hellfire missile after its crew allegedly ignored multiple warnings.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any disruption to the security of the Strait of Hormuz would result in severe consequences for the US military.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement holding the leaders of Kuwait and Bahrain “directly responsible” for the recent hostilities and criticized the US for its military actions.
The tensions come as ceasefire negotiations between the US and Iran have stalled, with efforts to finalize a peace agreement failing to make progress over the weekend.
US President Donald Trump recently urged his critics to “sit back and relax,” asserting that Iran is eager to reach a favorable deal for the United States.
Reports indicate that President Trump has sought revisions to the terms of a potential peace agreement following discussions with senior advisors regarding extending the ceasefire framework.
These proposed changes reportedly involve issues related to the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of highly enriched uranium from Iran, as well as a structure for reopening talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, denied that such terms were under consideration, accusing Washington of inconsistent demands.
In a recent interview, President Trump claimed that Iran had already consented to not pursue nuclear weapons, expressing optimism about future interactions with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
He stated, “We seem to be getting along quite well,” and expressed a desire to meet him.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, informed Congress that negotiators have not offered any sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
He emphasized that any potential sanctions relief would be contingent upon Iran’s compliance regarding its nuclear program.
In another tense exchange with lawmakers, Rubio asserted, “The war is over,” as they questioned the US strategy for concluding the ongoing conflict.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong