On 6/6, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it launched missiles at US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. This action was a direct response to early morning US unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on a communication facility on Qeshm island and a building in Sirik district. The IRGC's aerospace force specifically targeted Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and other key facilities of the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) later reported that Iran launched 7 ballistic missiles towards Kuwait and Bahrain. This occurred hours after US forces shot down 4 UAVs flying towards the Strait of Hormuz. "Preliminary assessments indicate that 6 of Iran's 7 missiles were intercepted; the remaining projectile did not reach its target," CENTCOM declared, adding, "There are no reports of US casualties. Iran's claims regarding damage to the 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false."
A streak of light believed to be an Iranian missile flying towards its target during the 6/6 attack. Video: RusVesna
The Kuwaiti military stated the same day that it was dealing with missiles and UAVs as alarms sounded across the country. “The Kuwaiti Army General Staff confirmed that any explosions heard by the public came from air defenses intercepting targets,” the agency posted on social media platform X.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry advised residents to “remain calm and proceed to the nearest safe place” after issuing an air raid warning, though no reason was announced.
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Location of the Strait of Hormuz. Graphic: Guardian
The IRGC stated that the initial US attacks followed its forces firing warning shots at one of four oil tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the vessels to turn back. For its part, the US launched airstrikes against four Iranian coastal surveillance radar stations in Goruk, Sirik district, and on Qeshm island. The US characterized these actions as self-defense, aimed at preventing Iran from launching more UAVs towards the Strait of Hormuz.
“We warn the enemy that Iran will respond without restraint if these hostile actions recur. They will face consequences if the Strait of Hormuz is completely closed to oil and gas exports,” the IRGC stated.
Iran announced on 5/6 that it had launched warning missiles at two US destroyers in the Gulf of Oman. However, the US military quickly denied this information.
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Iran launches missiles during an exercise in 1/2021. Photo: AP
In an interview with NBC News, US President Donald Trump admitted that Iran still possessed combat capabilities. “They still have missiles and UAVs. In my opinion, Iran probably still has 21-22% of its missile inventory,” Trump said.
Trump is under pressure to find a solution to the US-Iran conflict. Despite attacks raising concerns about the collapse of a ceasefire effective from 8/4, Trump asserted that “the situation with Iran appears to be progressing quite well.”
Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Tasnim)
