Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks on United States military bases in Bahrain and Jordan, in what appears to be a significant escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media on Wednesday, the IRGC said it launched a drone attack on the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and carried out a long-range missile strike on a US military base in Azraq, Jordan.
The attacks were described as retaliation for recent US strikes on Iranian targets linked to ports and islands near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes.
The latest confrontation follows the downing of a US Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, an incident that further heightened tensions between the two countries.
Kuwait, which hosts US military personnel, said its air defence systems intercepted what it described as hostile aerial targets. Bahrain also activated air defence measures following reports of incoming threats.
The IRGC warned that its forces remain fully prepared to deliver a “crushing and decisive” response to any further US military action. It said Washington would bear full responsibility for the consequences of any additional escalation.
Iranian officials also claimed that multiple US military targets across the region had come under attack. However, the extent of any damage and the full impact of the reported strikes have not been independently verified.
There were no immediate reports of casualties. Regional authorities said several missiles and drones were intercepted before reaching their intended targets.
The developments have raised concerns about a broader regional conflict involving Iran and the United States, with analysts warning that further escalation could threaten regional security and disrupt global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical maritime routes for oil exports, making any military confrontation in the area closely watched by governments and investors alike.
Despite the latest exchange of attacks and warnings, both sides continue to face mounting international pressure to avoid a wider conflict that could destabilise the Middle East.
