**Iran Renewed Attacks on Gulf States Following US Strikes**
Iran has intensified its military actions against U.S. allies in the Gulf region following a week of sustained U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian military assets. This escalation comes just days after a fragile ceasefire agreement between the two sides collapsed, leading to renewed hostilities.
On Saturday, Kuwait experienced significant military activity as Iranian forces launched attacks that included strikes on a desalination plant. This assault prompted the suspension of operations at Kuwait International Airport due to ongoing threats from missiles and drones. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for targeting a U.S. military support center at Camp Arifjan and destroying a radar facility at Ali Al Salem Air Base.
In addition to Kuwait, Iranian state media reported strikes in Bahrain, where the Revolutionary Guards allegedly targeted a site housing U.S. combat aircraft at Sheikh Isa Air Base, as well as an intelligence data center. These claims have not been independently verified by Reuters.
In a statement, the Revolutionary Guards indicated that they felt compelled to respond to U.S. military actions, citing a lack of international mechanisms to deter what they described as "savagery." They warned U.S. allies in the region to prepare for further attacks, invoking a Quranic principle of reciprocal action in defense.
The conflict has also extended to maritime operations, with both sides targeting shipping routes. The U.S. has enforced a naval blockade in the region, while Iran has claimed to have targeted vessels that allegedly violated its navigation rules in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. This tension has contributed to a rise in oil prices, which increased by over 4% on Friday, reaching their highest levels in more than a month.
As the military exchanges continue, concerns have grown regarding the potential for widespread conflict. Civilian infrastructure has increasingly become a target, raising alarms about possible war crimes. Reports from Iranian media indicated that missile strikes had damaged power facilities and desalination pumps in the southern city of Jask, leaving about 10,000 residents in 20 villages without water.
In Kuwait, the Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Ministry confirmed that a water desalination plant was hit in an Iranian attack, marking the second such incident in just two days. Meanwhile, the U.S. military's Central Command reported that it concluded its seventh consecutive day of strikes, focusing on Iranian surveillance sites, military logistics, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities.
The escalation has drawn international concern, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing alarm over the attacks on civilian infrastructure in both Iran and the broader region. His spokesperson highlighted the need for restraint and dialogue to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Iranian state media reported additional strikes in Hormozgan Province, where three people were killed and eight others wounded. Damage was also reported to two bridges and a road tunnel. Prior to this, U.S. strikes had reportedly targeted at least five bridges in southern Iran, resulting in multiple casualties.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to broaden military operations against Iran, including potential airstrikes on its infrastructure and the possibility of ground assaults. U.S. officials indicated that the attacks on southern Iran are intended to provide Trump with various military options, although such actions risk provoking further Iranian retaliation against vulnerable Gulf states and could disrupt global energy supplies.
As the situation unfolds, both Washington and Tehran appear to be testing the limits of escalation, with the potential for a return to all-out conflict looming ominously over the region.