Tensions across the Persian Gulf escalated sharply on Saturday after Iran launched missiles and drones toward Gulf states hosting American military facilities, hours after the United States struck Iranian military targets along the country's southern coast.
According to U.S. officials, American forces intercepted four Iranian drones near the Strait of Hormuz and later carried out strikes against Iranian coastal radar installations on Qeshm Island and near Goruk. Washington described the operation as a defensive response to what it called an immediate threat to maritime traffic in one of the world's most important shipping routes.
Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles and drones toward Bahrain and Kuwait, two Gulf nations that host key U.S. military facilities. Air raid sirens sounded across Bahrain, while Kuwaiti authorities reported that air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles. U.S. Central Command said most of the missiles were destroyed before reaching their targets.