Kuwait and Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian attacks this morning, signaling renewed aggression by Tehran against Gulf states just days after signing a memorandum with Washington. The U.S. recently emphasized that achieving lasting peace and security in the region requires addressing Iranian threats.
The Kuwaiti Army’s General Staff stated that their air defenses are currently countering hostile missile and drone attacks. They did not directly disclose the origin of the attacks but suggested that Iran is likely responsible, according to observers. The sounds of explosions, if heard, are due to the interception by air defense systems of hostile attacks.
Bahrain announced today that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed "Iranian aerial attacks" over the Kingdom's skies, following repeated targeting of Manama.
In response to these developments, Tehran accused Washington of attacking five coastal sites under the pretext of retaliating against a ship violating Iranian sovereignty. The Revolutionary Guard threatened to halt all ongoing negotiations, citing a breach of ceasefire by the U.S.
The past few hours have seen an escalation between Iran and America, marking the first since the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland.
The U.S. accused Iran of attacking one of its commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting an American response in the form of strikes on several targets. This was followed by an Iranian retaliation, claiming attacks on American sites, according to Iranian state media on Saturday.
On Saturday, Iran deemed the U.S. strikes on its territory on Friday a "blatant violation" of the memorandum of understanding meant to end the Middle Eastern conflict. Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that these strikes "constitute a flagrant breach of Article 2, paragraph 4 of the UN Charter, and a blatant violation of paragraph one of the memorandum" reached with the United States in mid-June.