Iran launches missile, drone attacks on US bases following retaliatory strikes
Tehran: The Aerospace Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has targeted critical infrastructure at four United States bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for American air strikes on Iran.
According to Press TV, the IRGC detailed the retaliatory action in a statement on Thursday, identifying the struck outposts as Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, alongside facilities at Juffair and Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. The military branch stated that the installations were hit using a combination of missiles and drones.
"In the first phase of its punitive response, IRGC naval and aerospace forces launched a joint missile and drone strike on US Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and on its bases in Juffair and at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain," the IRGC statement said, as reported by Press TV.
The IRGC condemned the American operations, describing them as a "violation of commitments" and declaring its determination to oppose the "child-killing US military."
Commenting on the areas affected by the American bombardment, the IRGC stated: "The treacherous US, once again violating its commitments, launched attacks on multiple locations in Iran's southern coastal provinces. In another anti-civilian act, it also targeted two bridges in the country's eastern provinces leading to the holy city of Mashhad in an attempt to overshadow the martyred Leader's farewell ceremony."
The Corps characterised the American military action, which occurred amidst the ongoing funeral proceedings for the late former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a crime that would serve to awaken global public opinion.
"They fail to realise that such crimes will only further awaken people around the world and strengthen their resolve to play a greater role in the struggle against the 'Great Satan.'" the IRGC statement read.
The IRGC further asserted that the US actions would be met with a "crushing response" from Tehran, warning of broader operations against American installations should the hostilities persist.
"Fighters of Islam will not leave the aggression of the child-killing US military unanswered. We warn the child-killing US military that if it repeats its acts of aggression, its crushing response will be expanded to include other American bases across the region," the statement added.
Meanwhile, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that the strikes had inflicted a direct impact on the US 5th Fleet Headquarters in Bahrain. It added that ballistic missiles directed at the American bases had been launched from Bushehr, the same city targeted by US forces hours earlier. IRIB also reported that the Kuwaiti Army confirmed its air defences were actively intercepting incoming missiles and drones.
The Iranian response follows an announcement by US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday (local time) stating that its forces had initiated additional strikes against Iran. The command said the action was designed to further diminish Tehran's capacity to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following a series of recent assaults on commercial shipping and civilian crews.
In a statement published on social media platform X, US CENTCOM said: "At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
Following the American air strikes, Iran's southern port city of Chabahar suffered extensive electricity blackouts, according to CNN, which cited Iranian state media. Explosions were also reported in the city of Bushehr, CNN added, quoting the semi-official Fars news agency.
With inputs from ANI