Iran Strikes Kuwait and Jordan Bases as US Launches Fifth Day of Attacks

The United States carried out a fifth consecutive day of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting coastal defenses and missile sites after reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran responded with attacks on US-linked bases in Kuwait and Jordan.

Escalation Spreads Across the Region

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck a gathering of US soldiers and an early warning radar system at Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem air base, while the Iranian army separately said it hit communication systems and fuel storage at Jordan’s Azraq base. Jordan’s state news agency reported intercepting eight Iranian missiles. Kuwait said its forces intercepted four missiles and 21 drones. There was no immediate response from the Pentagon or CENTCOM to the specific Iranian claims.

CENTCOM Details Latest Strikes

CENTCOM said US forces completed their latest wave of strikes at 9 p.m. Wednesday Washington time, hitting targets including Bandar Abbas, home to Iran’s largest port and key naval facilities, along with coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute operation.

Iran Calls Conflict “Existential War”

Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said Tehran’s security depends on maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz, describing the conflict as an existential war with the United States. President Trump, speaking at a Pennsylvania event, said Iran wants to settle but predicted the country would be defeated soon.

Shipping and Oil Markets Feel the Strain

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed sharply, with just seven vessels crossing on Wednesday compared to 13 the day before, and no large crude or LNG tankers passing through at all, according to Kpler data.