Kuwait Air Defenses Intercept Iranian Missiles and Drones Targeting US Bases

Interceptions in Kuwait

Kuwait's air defense systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones on Thursday, resulting in loud explosions reported across the country,. The Kuwaiti military confirmed that these sounds were the result of air defense operations conducted against "hostile aerial targets",.

Authorities cautioned citizens against approaching any fallen debris and urged the public to rely on official information during the operation. While the Kuwaiti armed forces confirmed via a post on X that they activated defenses in response to "hostile missile and drone threats," the military did not explicitly state where the attacks originated.

Iranian Retaliation Claims

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it launched retaliatory fire at a U.S. air base at 4:50 a.m. (0120 GMT). A spokesperson for the Guards, quoted by IRIB, said the operation targeted the American base from which an attack on Bandar Abbas was launched.

Although Iran confirmed it had targeted a U.S. air base, it did not provide specific details regarding the location of the facility,. However, reports note that Kuwait is home to a couple of U.S. air bases and other military installations, including U.S. Army Central, which serves as the Mideast forward command for the Army,.

Context of U.S. Strikes in Iran

The exchange follows strikes carried out by the United States against Iranian targets. Washington stated these were "self-defense strikes" targeting an Iranian drone operation that threatened commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. forces,.

U.S. military Central Command reported carrying out measured and deliberate strikes around the city of Geruk and on Qeshm Island. According to Central Command, these actions were a response to aggressive Iranian behavior, specifically the shootdown of a U.S. MQ-1 drone operating over international waters. The U.S. operation resulted in the elimination of two one-way attack drones, a ground control station, and Iranian air defenses.

Conflicting Reports on Targets

While the IRGC claimed to have targeted a U.S. base, CBS News reported that there were no reports of American facilities being hit on Thursday.