Iran says it targeted American base after fresh US strikes
Iran says it targeted American base – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran claimed it launched an attack on a US air base in the region following recent strikes by American forces on southern Iran overnight. Kuwait, which hosts a US military installation, reported intercepting “hostile missile and drone threats” but stopped short of confirming the specific target. The Iranian response came after the US downed Iranian drones over the Strait of Hormuz and struck a military facility in Bandar Abbas, a key port city in the south. This marks the second attack in three days by the US on Iranian targets, with both strikes justified as self-defense measures.
The renewed conflict has placed pressure on the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. According to Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, the attack on the US air base occurred in the early hours of Thursday and was aimed at “the source” of previous US strikes. US Central Command (Centcom) described the Iranian action as an “egregious ceasefire violation,” stating it took place “hours after Iranian forces launched five one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat in and near the Strait of Hormuz.” Centcom confirmed that all the drones were intercepted, and a sixth one launched from an Iranian ground control site in Bandar Abbas was also neutralized. The US military emphasized that its actions were “measured, purely defensive, and intended to maintain the ceasefire.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baqai, denounced the US strikes as a breach of the ceasefire agreement. He asserted that the Islamic Republic would “take all necessary measures to defend its national sovereignty,” as reported by IRIB. Kuwait’s foreign affairs ministry similarly condemned the Iranian attacks, calling them “criminal” and targeting its territory. Earlier this week, the US confirmed a previous round of “self-defense” strikes on southern Iran, which targeted Iranian missile sites and vessels attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The area has become a critical chokepoint, with thousands of commercial tankers stranded due to the ongoing conflict.
The US Treasury Department added another layer to the tensions by imposing sanctions on the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority,” an Iranian organization responsible for collecting fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement warned that any vessel paying this authority could face “the risk of sanctions.” The shipping channel, which normally handles one-fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas and oil, has seen its operations disrupted, significantly affecting global energy markets. Iran’s foreign ministry reiterated that the fees collected were for “navigational services,” with plans to continue managing maritime traffic through the waterway.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the Iranian authority, labeling its actions as “the Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade” and “proof” of Iran’s financial desperation. Meanwhile, the IRGC reported on Tuesday that it had shot down a US drone and engaged another aircraft and drone that entered Iranian airspace. However, it did not specify the exact timing or details of these incidents. The escalating actions highlight the precarious balance of the ceasefire and the broader strategic stakes in the region.
Protracted talks between the US and Iran have aimed to resolve the three-month conflict that has crippled shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump expressed frustration, stating that Iran was “negotiating on fumes” and that his military strategy would not be influenced by upcoming midterm elections. “Maybe we have to go back and finish it, maybe we don’t,” he remarked, reflecting uncertainty about the future of peace talks. Trump also urged Gulf nations to join the Abraham Accords, which seek to normalize relations with Israel. Israel, having launched the war against Iran alongside the US on 28 February, remains entangled in a separate conflict with Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Trump’s remarks followed Iranian state TV’s report of a draft agreement, which outlined terms such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of US forces from the region. Despite these efforts, the White House has not yet reached a consensus, with Trump asserting that Tehran was “very much intent” on securing a deal but “so far they haven’t gotten there.” The president reiterated Washington’s readiness to resume strikes if an agreement is not finalized, underscoring the continued threat of escalation. This stance has been accompanied by a shift in tone, as Trump claimed over the weekend that a peace deal had been “largely negotiated,” only to later state that the US was “not satisfied” with the current terms.
The geopolitical fallout extends beyond military confrontations, with economic implications growing more severe. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted the flow of global energy supplies, raising concerns about fuel prices and trade stability. As the US and Iran continue their tug-of-war over control of the waterway, the international community watches closely for signs of a breakthrough or further hostilities. Kuwait’s role in the conflict has also been significant, with its defense forces playing a key part in intercepting Iranian threats and safeguarding the US base stationed within its borders.
Amid these developments, the US military remains focused on protecting its interests in the region. Centcom’s description of its actions as “measured” and “defensive” contrasts with Iran’s portrayal of them as aggressive. The US has consistently framed its strikes as necessary to counter perceived threats, while Iran has emphasized its right to defend its territory. This dynamic has fueled tensions, with both sides accusing each other of undermining the ceasefire. As negotiations persist, the conflict’s impact on global trade and regional security continues to deepen, complicating efforts to reach a lasting resolution.
The situation reflects a broader pattern of retaliation and counter-retaliation, with each side using military force to assert dominance. The IRGC’s claim that it targeted the “source” of earlier US strikes suggests a desire to strike back at the perceived aggressor. Meanwhile, the US’s focus on the Strait of Hormuz highlights its strategic interest in ensuring the free flow of energy resources. As the war drags on, the question remains whether the ceasefire can hold or if the cycle of strikes will lead to a larger confrontation. With Trump’s administration remaining firm in its approach, the path to peace appears uncertain, leaving the region on high alert for potential escalation.
