TEHRAN — Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday in retaliation for overnight US airstrikes, escalating tensions in the Gulf and threatening negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent end to the conflict.Iran also warned it would bring peace talks with Washington to a “complete halt” if the United States continued its military operations.The attacks came amid growing tensions over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after a US Navy-backed multinational maritime body announced plans to expand a shipping route near Oman’s coast to accommodate two-way traffic.Iran has rejected any alternative shipping arrangements outside its direct oversight, insisting it alone has authority over the strategic waterway despite international recognition of the strait as an international passage.Speaking during a visit to Baghdad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that attempts to establish alternative arrangements would increase regional tensions and delay the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.The United States and Iran remain engaged in negotiations under a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month that provides a 60-day period to finalize a broader peace agreement covering sanctions relief, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of the US naval blockade, and Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.Sunday’s escalation raised new doubts over the future of the negotiations.Kuwait said its air defense systems intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles and several drones targeting the country. Authorities reported no casualties or damage.In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry said Iranian strikes damaged a residential building near Bahrain International Airport. No fatalities were reported. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as “a dangerous escalation” and accused Tehran of pursuing a pattern of repeated aggression.Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for both attacks.The latest exchange followed US strikes on Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying capabilities. US Central Command said the operation was conducted after an attack on the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Kiku in the Strait of Hormuz.President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that US forces had struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar facilities after Iran violated the ceasefire agreement.”If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!” Trump warned, referring to the possibility of broader US military action.The regional crisis has also been complicated by continued violence in southern Lebanon. Although Israel and the Lebanese government signed a US-backed framework agreement last week aimed at ending their conflict, Hezbollah and Iran are not parties to the agreement.Iran has maintained that any lasting ceasefire must also include an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Overnight, Hezbollah fighters killed an Israeli soldier during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military.TEHRAN — Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday in retaliation for overnight US airstrikes, escalating tensions in the Gulf and threatening negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent end to the conflict.Iran also warned it would bring peace talks with Washington to a “complete halt” if the United States continued its military operations.The attacks came amid growing tensions over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after a US Navy-backed multinational maritime body announced plans to expand a shipping route near Oman’s coast to accommodate two-way traffic.Iran has rejected any alternative shipping arrangements outside its direct oversight, insisting it alone has authority over the strategic waterway despite international recognition of the strait as an international passage.Speaking during a visit to Baghdad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that attempts to establish alternative arrangements would increase regional tensions and delay the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.The United States and Iran remain engaged in negotiations under a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month that provides a 60-day period to finalize a broader peace agreement covering sanctions relief, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of the US naval blockade, and Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.Sunday’s escalation raised new doubts over the future of the negotiations.Kuwait said its air defense systems intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles and several drones targeting the country. Authorities reported no casualties or damage.In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry said Iranian strikes damaged a residential building near Bahrain International Airport. No fatalities were reported. Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as “a dangerous escalation” and accused Tehran of pursuing a pattern of repeated aggression.Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for both attacks.The latest exchange followed US strikes on Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities, and mine-laying capabilities. US Central Command said the operation was conducted after an attack on the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Kiku in the Strait of Hormuz.President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that US forces had struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites and coastal radar facilities after Iran violated the ceasefire agreement.”If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!” Trump warned, referring to the possibility of broader US military action.The regional crisis has also been complicated by continued violence in southern Lebanon. Although Israel and the Lebanese government signed a US-backed framework agreement last week aimed at ending their conflict, Hezbollah and Iran are not parties to the agreement.Iran has maintained that any lasting ceasefire must also include an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Overnight, Hezbollah fighters killed an Israeli soldier during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military.
Iran attacks Bahrain, Kuwait after US strikes, threatens to halt peace talks
