Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and the Iranian army launched a coordinated wave of missile and drone strikes against US military infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain on Tuesday, claiming to have destroyed long-range radar sites, a Patriot air defence battery, communications centres and drone hangars. The attacks, which Iranian state media described as the second phase of the 24th wave of Operation Nasr-2, targeted Camp Arifjan, Ali al-Salem air base and Ahmed Al Jaber air base in Kuwait, as well as Al-Muharraq and Al-Rifa’ in Bahrain. The IRGC stated that the operations were designed to “remove obstacles to extensive air and missile operations” and to “pave the way for future extensive operations.” Simultaneously, the United States Central Command confirmed that American forces had begun a tenth consecutive night of airstrikes on Iran, with Iranian media reporting explosions near the Bushehr nuclear plant and the Isfahan nuclear technology centre.

Viewed from Tehran, the strikes are framed as retaliation for what Iranian officials call ten nights of US aggression against civilian sites. President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that the conflict had morphed into a “full-scale war,” while IRGC statements vowed that “the punishment of the aggressor will continue.” Iranian army footage released to regional broadcasters showed Arash one-way attack drones being launched against what were described as administrative buildings, helicopter parking areas and personnel housing at US bases. The IRGC’s aerospace force separately claimed to have “created a dark night for American radars and air defence systems” in Bahrain, asserting that a Patriot system in Al-Rifa’ was destroyed in a simultaneous missile and drone attack.

From Washington, the US administration has signalled that it does not seek a ground operation or a protracted conflict but is prepared to act decisively to protect its interests. The White House has called for renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, while Tehran has demanded compensation for damage inflicted and non-aggression guarantees. No official confirmation of the claimed damage in Kuwait and Bahrain has been issued by US or Kuwaiti authorities. Kuwait’s military stated that any explosions heard were the result of air defence systems intercepting incoming fire, a formulation that neither confirms nor denies successful strikes. The lack of independent verification leaves the operational impact of the Iranian attacks uncertain.

Regional capitals have responded with caution. Most Arabian monarchies, according to analysts in Gulf diplomatic circles, prefer to remain observers, limiting the space for US military manoeuvre. At the same time, Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed attacks on American forces, and Iraqi armed groups have expressed readiness to enter the conflict. The escalation follows the collapse of a ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding signed in Switzerland in June, which had established a 60-day framework for peace negotiations. The US accused Iran of violating the agreement by failing to fully normalise passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran maintained that its nuclear programme would not be halted and that attacks on civilian atomic sites violated international law. With no diplomatic track currently active, the dossier remains in a state of open military exchange.