The United States and Iran have engaged in a fresh round of military strikes, further escalating tensions in the Gulf region. Iranian drones struck Kuwait International Airport early this morning, causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure and grounding all flights. The attack marks a dangerous broadening of the conflict, which until now had been largely confined to Iraqi and Syrian territory.
US Central Command confirmed that American forces launched a retaliatory strike against Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps positions in southern Iran. The Pentagon described the operation as a "proportional response" to the drone attack, which it said was directed from a command centre near Bandar Abbas. No casualties have been reported on the US side, but Iranian state media claimed at least 12 people were killed in the strikes.
The airport attack in Kuwait represents a significant escalation. Kuwait, a US ally that hosts American military personnel at Camp Arifjan, has sought to remain neutral in the ongoing confrontation. The Iranian foreign ministry issued a statement claiming the strike was a "warning" against Kuwaiti cooperation with US forces. Kuwait has condemned the attack and called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Analysts suggest that the escalation could push the Gulf towards a broader regional conflict. Iran has long threatened to target US allies in the region if its own territory were attacked. The use of drones against a civilian airport marks a departure from previous Iranian tactics, which focused on US military bases in Iraq. The Kuwaiti government has closed its airspace and mobilised its military reserves.
International reaction has been swift. The United Nations Secretary General called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the region is "on the brink of a catastrophe." The European Union urged restraint, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have called for a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers. Russia, which maintains close ties with Iran, criticised the US strikes as "unlawful" and called for de-escalation.
The situation remains fluid. The US has deployed additional naval assets to the Gulf, including the USS Nimitz carrier strike group. Iran has put its armed forces on high alert and warned of further attacks if the US continues its military operations. The immediate focus is on the safety of civilians in Kuwait, where rescue efforts are ongoing amid reports of further drone activity near the Iraqi border.
