An Iranian drone attack caused a blaze in Kuwait City, while Bahrain intercepted incoming drones, following Tehran's firing on U.S. allies in the Gulf early Wednesday. This occurred after American bombardment during the night included a deadly strike on a wedding party.
The recent escalation marks an end to a month-long pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran. It has renewed questions regarding how to conclude a conflict that has driven up oil prices, unsettled the global economy, and created growing political issues for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Republican Party ahead of November midterm elections.
Fighting between the U.S. and Iran intensified since the weekend after American military forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on an island in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. stated that Iran intended to use these launchers to fire mines into the waterway. In response, Iran fired missiles at American bases located in Jordan, all of which were intercepted.
U.S. Allies Defend Against Iranian Assaults
Iran launched missiles toward Jordan and drones toward Kuwait late Tuesday; both sets of attacks were intercepted. On Monday, the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting an incoming Iranian drone over its waters.
Bahrain, which hosts a significant U.S. naval base, stated that its air defense systems intercepted incoming fire from Iran early Wednesday. Its military issued a statement accusing Iran of "attacks targeting civilians."
Additionally, Kuwait’s government communications center announced on Wednesday that a fire started at a residential complex in the capital after it was struck by an Iranian drone at dawn. The center reported that the blaze had been contained and there were no casualties.
In other parts of the region, Kurdistan's Counter-Terrorism Directorate in Iraq, where Iranian-backed proxy forces are active, said it intercepted 10 drones carrying explosives in the Irbil area. Iranian television reported that American bases in Irbil had been targeted.
Israel’s military also stated that Iran-backed Hezbollah fired two explosive drones at its soldiers in southern Lebanon, though there were no casualties.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed that Tuesday's strikes focused on Iranian military targets, including air defense sites, radar systems, and maritime assets.
Casualties Reported in Iran Include Wedding Party Attendees
Iranian media reported that one U.S. strike hit a home hosting a wedding. Iranian officials stated that at least five people were killed, including a child, and at least 68 were wounded.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairperson of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, commented on X, stating, “Make no mistake: these crimes will not go unpunished.”
The U.S. military acknowledged the report but maintained that it "never targets civilians."
Strait of Hormuz Remains Largely Closed
During the previous month's lull in fighting, the U.S. increased economic pressure on Iran, which is contending with soaring inflation, negative growth, and a collapsing currency. Washington sought concessions to fully open the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping traffic.
Approximately one-fifth of the world’s traded oil was shipped through this vital waterway before Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran on February 28, leading Iran to largely shut it down. Despite numerous declarations from Washington that the strait is open, only a small number of ships transit daily, and Iran has regularly attacked vessels.
Since fighting resumed, the price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, surpassed $95, representing an increase of over 30% from the war's outset.
In launching its latest attacks, U.S. Central Command stated it was responding to Tehran attempting to strike commercial ships and American forces in the Middle East.
Trump provided further explanation to Fox News during a phone call, saying U.S. forces struck radar systems that Iran had been trying to rebuild.
“We waited until it was almost built and then we hit it,” he said.
Late Tuesday, Trump announced he would not compel Iran into negotiations.
“I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement. I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?” Trump wrote on social media.
Earlier, Trump had appeared to shift focus toward coercing Iran through economic sanctions. He warned that if Iran retaliated against the new strikes, “they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level.”