T
he conflict escalated after Iran allegedly launched a drone attack on U.S. forces in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States shot down the drone and later carried out airstrikes on Iranian targets, causing significant damage. Since then, Iran has launched a series of retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases across the Middle East, further intensifying tensions in the region.
Iran Claims to Have Attacked 18 U.S. Military Bases in Retaliation for American Airstrikes.
Iran has claimed that it first targeted three major U.S. military facilities in Kuwait — Ali Al Salem Air Base, Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, and Camp Arifjan — as part of its retaliatory attacks against American forces in the region.
In a social media post, the Kuwait Army said...
“The General Staff of the Army announces that air defense systems are currently intercepting hostile aerial targets in accordance with the adopted operational procedures.
It urges everyone to adhere to the security and safety instructions and guidelines issued by the competent authorities, and to obtain information from the approved official sources.”
Iran then claimed to have carried out attacks on the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters and Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.
Iran has also claimed to have attacked Al-Azraq Air Base and Tower 22 in Jordan.
Iran also claimed to have targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is considered the largest U.S. military air base in the Middle East.
Iran has also claimed to have targeted Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, one of the country's largest and most strategically important air bases, followed by strikes on Al Ruwais and Al Sader Air Bases.
Iran has also claimed to have targeted two bases in Iraq — Ain al-Asad Air Base and Erbil Air Base — along with Al-Tanf Garrison in Syria as part of its retaliatory strikes against U.S. military facilities in the region.
Iran has claimed to have targeted U.S. military bases in a total of eight countries — Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Iraq, Syria, and Oman — as part of its retaliatory campaign across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, several reports suggest that Jordan was the primary target of Iran’s latest wave of attacks. According to Iranian claims, the IRGC launched 12 ballistic missiles at Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, making it one of the most heavily targeted locations in the operation.
Iran has also claimed to have launched more than 12 ballistic missiles in two separate waves targeting U.S. military facilities in Iraq and Syria. Meanwhile, according to reports, Iran used more than seven ballistic missiles and over 10 suicide drones in attacks on U.S.-linked targets in Kuwait and Bahrain.
According to Iranian statements posted on X…
“IRGC: Early on Thursday morning, the IRGC's Aerospace Force and Navy fighters, while punishing the aggressor and retaliating against the US military's provocation, struck and destroyed 18 key US military assets at the Ali Al Salem, Ahmad Al Jaber, and Sheikh Isa air bases.”
Economic warfare has become a major factor in the Iran–U.S. conflict because Iran has significant influence over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes. Since tensions escalated, Iran has been accused of disrupting maritime traffic in the area. Following recent U.S. airstrikes, Iranian officials announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been fully blocked and that no ships would be allowed to pass through the route.
Several reports suggest that after making the statement, Iran also attacked two ships that were passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
This move by Iran could halt the transportation of nearly 20% of the world's oil and LNG supplies, potentially triggering a global energy shortage and driving up fuel prices worldwide.
This war is not only creating problems for the United States and Iran, but it is also disrupting markets around the world.
Following the attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior Iranian commanders told the United States to step back, warning that things would not end well for Washington if it continued to escalate the conflict.
With these attacks, Iran has effectively rendered the ceasefire with the United States completely meaningless.
After U.S. President Donald Trump made a statement about taking control of Iran's Kharg Island, Tehran warned that if Kharg Island was even touched, its response would be "crushing, painful, and regret-inducing" — a retaliation that would be devastating and leave the United States regretting its actions.
