Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain hit: Is the war in the Gulf escalating again?

Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait as US launches strikes on Qeshm Island

Iran fired missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain in the early hours of Wednesday, and the United States launched strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, as tensions in the Gulf spiked amid an impasse in diplomatic efforts to end the war between Tehran and Washington that is now closing in on 100 days.

Since the conflict began in late February, Iran has repeatedly targeted countries across the Gulf where US military bases are located. Armed hostilities had largely subsided after a temporary Pakistan-mediated ceasefire took effect on April 8. But the latest flare‑up has raised fears that full‑scale fighting could resume.

Here is a look at what happened overnight, and where things stand on the diplomatic front.

Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA said Iranian missiles and drones had hit the country’s international airport on Wednesday morning. It reported an unspecified number of injuries, damage to airport facilities and flight suspensions and diversions.

But US Central Command (CENTCOM) said two Iranian missiles shot at Kuwait fell short or broke apart in flight, while several ballistic missiles failed to reach their targets. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency earlier said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had launched missiles and drones at US helicopters stationed in a regional country, in an apparent reference to Kuwait.

It is unclear whether the US helicopters the IRGC was reportedly targeting were stationed at the Kuwaiti airport or whether intercepted projectiles fell by accident on the airport.

According to Tasnim, the IRGC also fired missiles and drones at an airbase and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, where sirens went off warning residents of an attack.