Iran Retaliates With Missiles and Drones on Gulf States After US Strikes Hit 140 Targets
· 3 min read ·
US Forces Strike 140 Targets in Iran
The United States military's Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that American forces hit approximately 140 military targets inside Iran early on Sunday. The operation marked the third consecutive night of strikes and came in response to an Iranian attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The escalating exchange of fire has drawn multiple countries into the conflict, with Iranian missiles and drones crossing into the airspace of several Gulf nations and Jordan.
Gulf States and Jordan Under Fire
Air defence systems across the region were activated as projectiles flew toward multiple countries. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain all issued warnings to residents between Saturday night and Sunday morning about incoming missiles and drones.
Kuwait's military reported responding to attacks on its territory early on Sunday. In Qatar, the Ministry of Interior confirmed that three people, including one child, were injured by falling shrapnel after attack warnings were disseminated to residents.
Jordanian authorities reported that three missiles originating from Iran landed in the country without causing any casualties. The UAE also activated its air defences following reports of incoming threats from Iran.
In Bahrain, warning sirens sounded three times on Sunday morning to alert residents of incoming attacks.
IRGC Claims Strikes on US Military Installations
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued statements claiming responsibility for targeting several US military facilities across the region. The IRGC said it struck a United States radar site in Kuwait and reported destroying a command-and-control centre along with drone hangars at a military base in Jordan used by American forces.
The IRGC also claimed it destroyed a fighter jet maintenance facility at a military base in Qatar that is used by the US. However, Qatar's government stated that all incoming projectiles were successfully intercepted.
Additionally, Iran said it targeted a US aircraft carrier support and refuelling platform located at the Omani port of Duqm, which is situated outside the Strait of Hormuz. Oman's state news agency confirmed that the enclave of Musandam was targeted with drones on Sunday.
Maritime Crisis in the Strait of Hormuz
The maritime dimension of the conflict intensified when the IRGC attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy, a 300-metre-long (958-foot) container ship. According to CENTCOM, the assault caused a fire on board and inflicted significant damage to the vessel's engine room.
The crew was forced to abandon the ship using a lifeboat. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 11 Indian citizens were among those on board, with 10 rescued and one still missing. The Indian embassy in Muscat is monitoring the situation and has appealed for calm.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency separately reported that a container ship was attacked off the coast of Oman, with the crew rescued by local authorities.
Iran announced that it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane, after partially reopening it. The strait had been partly reopened following a memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington in mid-June that was intended to end the war.
Iran stated that the container ship targeted in the Strait of Hormuz was using a route that had not been approved by Iranian authorities. The strait continues to be the primary point of contention between the US and Iran, a dispute that has persisted since the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran in February.
The rapid escalation across multiple fronts — from direct US strikes on Iranian soil to Iranian retaliatory fire reaching at least five countries — underscores the fragility of the mid-June agreement and the growing risk of a wider regional conflict. As nations across the Gulf and beyond brace for further developments, the situation remains highly volatile. Share this article with your network to help others stay informed about this evolving crisis.
