Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain, Kuwait after US strikes on Iran

Air raid sirens blared across Bahrain and Kuwait early Wednesday as both Gulf states scrambled to intercept Iranian missiles and drones targeting American military installations, minutes after the United States announced retaliatory strikes on more than 80 sites inside Iran. The US Central Command said the operation was conducted "as an immediate response to attacks by Iran on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced on the social media platform X: "The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," though it did not immediately specify the nature of the threat. US officials told the Axios news site that Iran's military had launched drones toward Bahrain.

Iranian retaliation targets US bases

The Kuwaiti Army said on X that its air defenses "are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks," adding that explosion sounds heard by residents indicated successful interceptions. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated it targeted 85 US military targets including Salman Port, the Bahraini Fifth Naval Region and Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The IRGC also said it had shot down an enemy MQ9 drone that was attempting to interfere in the operation. The exchanges marked the latest escalation in the war that began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched military action against Iran, prompting Tehran to impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for global energy shipments.