Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said early on Wednesday that attacks targeting US bases in Kuwait were launched after the US carried out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz and on the island of Qeshm in southern Iran.
In a statement, the IRGC said an Iranian oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an aerial projectile late on Tuesday, causing damage to the engine section of the vessel.
It also claimed that US forces later targeted a communications tower belonging to the Guard south of Qeshm island.
The IRGC said its Aerospace Force subsequently carried out missile and drone attacks targeting US military positions in the region, including facilities linked to the US Fifth Fleet.
It warned that any further attack against Iran would elicit a “decisive” response, adding that forces involved in actions against Iran would face consequences.
The statement came shortly after Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported several explosions near the areas of Suza and Masen on the island of Qeshm.
Meanwhile, the US and its partner military forces intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones, US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed on Tuesday.
“US forces successfully defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and conducted self-defence strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors, CENTCOM said, adding that all failed to hit the targets.
“Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart enroute, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were immediately intercepted by US and Bahrain air defence forces,” the command said.
CENTCOM also said its forces shot down three one-way attack drones launched by Iran toward civilian mariners that were transiting regional waters.
Regional tensions have escalated since late February after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing more than 3 000 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders and government officials.
A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, but efforts to reach a broader agreement have so far failed. – AA
