TEHRAN: Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on US targets in Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain after American forces resumed strikes against Iran, escalating tensions across the Middle East.
The Iranian missile and drone attacks came after US forces carried out fresh strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday. Tehran has warned that Washington will face consequences for its military action, while the US military said its operations were conducted against Iranian military threats and did not target civilians.
The Iranian Red Crescent said five people, including a child, were killed and more than 50 others injured after shrapnel from a US missile attack struck a home in Sirik, southern Iran, where a wedding celebration was taking place.
The US military said it was aware of the reports but stressed that civilians were never deliberately targeted.
Iran’s Missile and Drone Attacks Follow US Strikes
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the American strikes on Iran followed what it described as recent attempted attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to CENTCOM, the alleged Iranian actions targeted commercial shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as well as American forces stationed across the region.
The IRGC responded by warning that the United States would “regret” its strikes. Iran subsequently launched a series of ballistic missile attacks against US-linked military positions in the region.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that a barrage of ballistic missiles was launched toward a US Marine base in Jordan’s Aqaba early Wednesday. The attack was described as retaliation for the incident in Sirik.
The latest Iran missile and drone attacks have raised concerns about a wider regional confrontation involving American military installations and allied countries.
Jordan Intercepts Iranian Ballistic Missiles
Jordanian authorities said their armed forces intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles during the latest escalation.
The Jordanian Armed Forces reported that 13 ballistic missiles were intercepted. Ten were destroyed, while three fell in remote areas.
Officials said there were no deaths or injuries reported from the missile attack in Jordan.
The attacks have placed additional pressure on countries hosting US military forces as Iran signals that its response could extend beyond direct US-Iranian confrontation.
Iran Missile and Drone Attacks Trigger Regional Alert
Kuwait also reported Iranian missile activity early Wednesday, with the Kuwaiti army saying its air-defence systems were responding to incoming threats.
The developments in Jordan and Kuwait came amid reports of Iranian attacks or attempted attacks involving US interests in several countries, including Iraq and Bahrain.
The latest Iran missile and drone attacks represent a significant escalation following renewed US military action against Iran. The situation remains highly volatile, with both Washington and Tehran issuing warnings while regional governments activate air-defence systems.
The continued exchange of strikes has increased fears that the conflict could spread across the Middle East, particularly because US forces and military facilities are located in several countries within range of Iranian missiles and drones.
