Amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, Iran has launched successive ballistic missile strikes on United States military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. The strikes, reported by Iran’s state-run Mehr News Agency on Saturday (6 June), targeted key American military installations as part of an escalating confrontation in the region.
Following the missile attacks, Tehran issued a warning stating that any further provocation or aggression would result in the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical routes for oil and gas exports.
Reported sequence of events
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated in an official communiqué that its Aerospace Force targeted the US Air Base “Ali Al-Salem” in Kuwait and principal facilities of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
According to the IRGC account, the confrontation began following what it described as unauthorised tanker activity in the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation was further linked to reported US drone strikes on two IRGC communication towers located in Qeshm Island and the Sirik area.
The IRGC provided a detailed timeline of the incident, stating that at approximately 01:30 local time, four oil tankers attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with IRGC naval forces and disregarded issued warnings. After a final warning, one tanker was struck to halt its movement, while the remaining three vessels reportedly turned back.
Around 30 minutes later, at approximately 02:00, US drones allegedly carried out strikes on Iranian communication towers in Qeshm Island and Sirik. In response, the IRGC conducted missile strikes on US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Summary of reported timeline
| Time / Stage | Reported Event |
|---|---|
| 01:30 | Four oil tankers attempt transit without coordination; warnings issued |
| Shortly after | One tanker struck; three vessels turn back |
| 02:00 | US drone strikes on IRGC communication towers in Qeshm and Sirik |
| Following period | IRGC missile strikes on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain |
| After escalation | Iran warns of potential full closure of Strait of Hormuz |
Strategic warning on Strait of Hormuz
Following the strikes, Iran reiterated its warning that any continued hostile actions could lead to the full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage for global energy shipments. The IRGC stated that such a move would have significant consequences for international oil and gas supply chains, and placed responsibility for any resulting economic disruption on the United States–Israel alliance.
The IRGC further stated that any repetition of what it described as aggressive actions would be met with a broader and more extensive response.
International military analysts, as noted in regional reporting, have indicated that the latest developments could heighten the risk of further escalation in the Middle East.