The shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran suffered another blow on Friday as American forces shot down four Iranian drones and struck coastal radar sites – and Iran fired seven ballistic missiles at US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation.
The US military said it intercepted the drones over the Strait of Hormuz, calling them an "immediate threat to regional maritime traffic". In response, US Central Command said it "subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites" in southern Iran "to defend against further attacks".
“US forces shoot down Iranian drones and strike radar sites; Iran fires missiles at bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.”
Hours later, Iran answered with ballistic missiles. According to Centcom, six of the seven missiles were intercepted, and one failed to reach its target. Kuwait's military said it was intercepting missiles and drones, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens and told residents to move to safety, the Independent reported.
The exchange came days after a drone strike on Kuwait's international airport on Wednesday that killed one person and injured more than 60, according to local officials. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps denied responsibility, claiming the damage was caused by a US missile interceptor error. Centcom called that false, calling it a "deliberate, calculated and unjustified attack".
Despite the escalation, US President Donald Trump struck a confident tone. "The situation with Iran seems to be going quite well," he told reporters on Friday, according to the Independent. Speaking in Wisconsin, Trump said Iran's leaders are "strong, proud" but "have no choice" and will cave, adding that the US had "totally destroyed their military" and that Iran had "maybe 21%, 22%" of its missiles left.
The attacks come as ceasefire negotiations stall. US media reported that Trump requested changes to the terms of a tentative agreement to extend the truce by 60 days. On Monday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman complained the US was "constantly changing its views and putting forward new or contradictory demands".
The conflict began with wide-ranging US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February. Tehran responded by attacking Israel and US-allied Gulf states and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil and LNG travels. The closure sent oil prices soaring globally. The US has since enforced a blockade on Iranian ports, which Trump said would remain "in full force".
Even amid the fighting, the US granted visas to Iran's World Cup football team for their first match in Los Angeles on 15 June – the first time a host nation will receive a team from a country it is at war with.