Iran fired ballistic missiles at US air bases in Kuwait and Navy facilities in Bahrain on Saturday, the latest exchange of fire in a conflict that has now passed its 100th day. The US military said six of the seven missiles were intercepted and one failed to reach its target.
The attack came hours after American forces struck Iranian radar sites at Sirik and on Qeshm island, which Tehran called a “flagrant” violation of the ceasefire in place since April. Iran’s foreign ministry said the US strikes demonstrated “complete disregard for the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter”.
“Iran and US exchange strikes as conflict enters 100th day, with 7,000 killed and ceasefire negotiations stalled.”
Bahrain condemned the Iranian missile fire, saying it had been successfully repelled, while Kuwait’s foreign ministry described the attacks as a “serious escalation” and called on Iran to cease further strikes. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar also denounced the Iranian attacks on their Gulf neighbours.
Donald Trump told NBC News that Iran’s military was “virtually decapitated” and that Tehran was “desperate” to make a deal but “too proud” to admit it. He claimed the US had “totally destroyed” Iran’s military and said he was “moving very fast” in the conflict.
The exchanges have tested a fragile ceasefire that has been in place since April, with negotiations stalled after US media reported that Trump had requested changes to the terms of an agreement. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said the US was “constantly changing its views and putting forward new or contradictory demands”.
The conflict, sparked by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February, has killed an estimated 7,000 people in the region, displaced more than a million, and severely disrupted global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The US has granted visas to Iran’s World Cup football team ahead of their first match in Los Angeles on 15 June, the first time a host nation will receive the team of a country it is at war with.
Separately, an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed three members of the Lebanese army, prompting an angry response from Beirut, as Israel’s action against Hezbollah continues.