Iran Claims Extensive Drone Strikes on US Bases in Middle East
Iran’s military announced Friday it had launched widespread drone attacks against American military bases and facilities in the Middle East. The strikes reportedly targeted sites in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. This action was described as a direct retaliation for recent US military operations against the Islamic Republic. The claims suggest a significant escalation in regional tensions.
According to a statement broadcast on state TV, Iran’s army specified that its Arash kamikaze drones were used in an attack on the Isa Air Base in Bahrain. The alleged targets included vital infrastructure such as fuel tanks, large equipment warehouses, and grain silos, alongside barracks housing US forces. In a related development, an AFP journalist based in Bahrain reported hearing an explosion and the activation of warning sirens across the country on Friday morning. Despite the timing, it was not immediately confirmed whether these local events were directly linked to the Iranian claims of drone strikes.
The Iranian army also stated that drone attacks struck the Al-Azraq base in Jordan. Detailed claims indicated targets such as aircraft hangars, aviation maintenance facilities, and troop barracks at this location. However, Jordanian authorities have not released any official reports or statements confirming such strikes occurring within their borders in recent hours, leaving the Iranian claims unverified by local sources.
Further claims detailed in a separate statement by the Iranian military indicated drone operations against US equipment warehouses at Camp Udairi in Kuwait. They also reported targeting specific sites housing American military personnel at Camp Doha and Camp Arifjan within Kuwait. In addition to these claims, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a powerful branch of the military, announced its own operations. The IRGC asserted it had directly hit the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. They claimed this strike resulted in the destruction of an ammunition depot and inflicted casualties among US personnel stationed there.
Tehran has consistently argued that any facility or base in the Middle East used by the US military for launching attacks or operations against Iran is considered a legitimate target for retaliatory actions. These recent claims by Iran underscore its stance and highlight the volatile nature of military interactions in the region.
