Iran launched a missile and drone attack on an American airbase early Thursday, retaliating against renewed US strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility, targeting an unnamed base near Bandar Abbas Airport. Kuwait confirmed it was responding to the attacks, while Israel reported sirens in the north.
A US official stated that the military shot down four Iranian drones and struck a ground control station in Bandar Abbas. The official described the actions as 'measured, purely defensive and intended to maintain the ceasefire.' The clashes highlight the fragility of the US-Iran ceasefire that began in early April.
The United States operates around two dozen significant military sites across the Middle East, hosting about 50,000 personnel. Key bases include Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to the US Fifth Fleet, and air bases in Iraq such as Al-Harir and Al Asad. The UK also maintains a presence, with 200 servicemen in Iraq as of January 2024.
Iran's ballistic missiles can reach up to 2,000 km, putting US bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE within range. General Sir Richard Barrons noted that Iran's options are limited due to recent leadership losses and the risk of exposing launch sites to US and Israeli attacks.
