Iran Claims Strikes on US Targets in Bahrain, Kuwait; US Military Completes Bombing Campaign

Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed on Tuesday that they struck U.S. military targets, including air defence systems, in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to state news agency IRNA. The announcement came as the U.S. military confirmed it had completed a new round of strikes on Iranian positions.

The Guards also said they stopped two “non-compliant oil tankers” attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipments. Iran has previously threatened to disrupt shipping in the strait in response to tensions with the United States.

The U.S. military said late on Monday that its strikes hit Iranian military command centres, missile and drone launch sites, maritime capabilities, and air defence systems. The Pentagon described the operations as defensive in nature, aimed at degrading Iran's ability to launch attacks on U.S. forces and allies in the region.

The Guards claimed they destroyed two air defence systems and a radar installation at U.S. outposts in Bahrain, as well as missile defence systems, radars, and satellite reception systems in Kuwait. There was no immediate confirmation from U.S. or allied officials regarding the extent of damage.

The exchanges mark a significant escalation in the long-running shadow conflict between Iran and the United States, which has intensified since the U.S. withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018. The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint, with Iran seizing tankers in recent months as part of its strategy to exert pressure on Western economies.

Both sides have called for de-escalation in public statements, but the latest strikes suggest a cycle of retaliation continues. International observers have urged restraint, warning that a broader war could destabilise the entire region and disrupt global energy markets.