Iran strikes US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Erbil

Iran launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan on Wednesday, hours after U.S. airstrikes killed 11 people in Iran, including four at a wedding in the country’s south. Iranian state media reported the U.S. attacks hit two locations in the southern provinces of Hormozgan and Sistan-Baluchestan. The Revolutionary Guards said the strikes were a direct response to recent U.S. actions, including a bombing raid in Baghdad that killed a senior Iranian commander last month.

The escalation follows months of rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, fueled by regional proxy conflicts and Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. has carried out multiple strikes in Iraq and Syria targeting Iranian-backed militias, while Iran has threatened retaliation for perceived provocations. The latest U.S. strikes targeted what American officials called “Iran-backed militant groups,” but Iran described them as attacks on civilians. The wedding bombing, widely condemned as a civilian tragedy, has intensified calls within Iran for a strong response.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said their strikes were precise and targeted U.S. military assets, including bases and intelligence centers. U.S. officials have not yet confirmed the attacks but say they are monitoring the situation closely. The strikes in Kuwait and Bahrain, both host to U.S. military presence, mark a significant expansion of the conflict beyond Iraq and Syria. Analysts warn this could trigger a broader regional crisis, drawing in Gulf states and potentially disrupting global oil supplies.

The question now is whether this cycle of violence will spiral further. Iran has vowed “decisive action” if the U.S. continues its strikes, while the U.S. insists it will protect its personnel and interests. Diplomats are scrambling to prevent further escalation, but the risk of miscalculation remains high. The coming hours will determine whether this latest confrontation leads to a sustained conflict or a fragile de-escalation.