Several explosions were reportedly heard across Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain and Erbil on Wednesday, raising tensions across the Gulf region. Soon after the incidents, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for missile attacks targeting American military bases in Kuwait.
The IRGC said the strikes were a direct response to what it described as a US attack on Iran’s Qeshm Island.
IRGC Announces Retaliatory Action
In an official statement, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force carried out a series of "precise and concentrated missile attacks" against US military facilities in Kuwait.
The statement said, “In response to the provocation and blatant aggression of American terrorist forces targeting the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the beloved island of Qeshm, the Air and Space Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, by the grace and support of Allah and in line with its commitment to protect the homeland, subjected the military bases of American occupiers in Kuwait to precise and concentrated missile attacks, resulting in the successful destruction of their targets and the ignition of the aggressors' trenches."
The IRGC described the operation as an initial act of retaliation and warned the United States and countries that allow their territory or airspace to be used against Iran.
The statement further said, “Any new stupidity, further aggression, or any action that violates even a single inch of our borders and sovereignty will be met with a devastating, crushing, and decisive response that goes beyond all laws and established boundaries. Our brave forces will not hesitate to turn all the headquarters and interests of the aggressors in the region into ashes.”
The Iranian force also declared, “The era of "hit and run" has ended, and the aggressor forces must bear the dire consequences of their ignorance and reckless adventures.”
Kuwait Activates Air Defence Systems
Following the reported attacks, Kuwait's military announced that its air-defence systems had intercepted what it described as hostile missiles and drones. Air raid sirens sounded in different parts of the country as security forces responded to the threat.
In a statement posted on X, Kuwait's military said, "Any sounds of explosions heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting these hostile attacks."
The military did not identify who launched the missiles or drones.
Public Asked to Stay Away From Debris
Kuwait’s General Staff of the Army urged residents to remain cautious and avoid any unidentified objects or debris that may have fallen after the interceptions. Officials warned that such objects could pose a serious risk to public safety.
The military said people should stay away from any remnants of intercepted aerial targets and immediately inform emergency services if they spot suspicious objects.
Authorities also urged citizens and residents to follow updates only from official government channels and avoid spreading unverified information.
In its final appeal, the army stated, "The General Staff of the Army calls on everyone to cooperate and adhere to the issued guidelines to preserve the security and safety of all."
Regional Tensions Rise
The reported missile strikes and air-defence interceptions have further heightened tensions in the Gulf region. While Iran claims it successfully targeted American military facilities in Kuwait, Kuwaiti authorities have focused on defensive measures and public safety.
The developments mark another sharp escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the United States, with regional countries remaining on high alert.