Escalation in U.S.-Iran Conflict: U.S. Deploys Maritime Drones as Iran Strikes Bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait

Original article: Nueva fase de la escalada: EE.UU. despliega drones marítimos y Teherán responde contra bases usadas por Washington en Jordania, Baréin y Kuwait

The conflict between Washington and Tehran has entered a new escalation phase, following the first deployment of unidirectional attack maritime drones by the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), prompting an immediate Iranian retaliation against U.S. military bases located in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Tensions surged on Sunday as U.S. forces launched a massive offensive targeting dozens of sites within Persian territory, including air defense systems, coastal radar stations, missile capabilities, drones, and small Iranian vessels.

This operation, executed with fighter jets, warships, and unmanned aircraft, marks a significant milestone in the conflict by incorporating maritime drones for the first time, a technology that Washington has reserved for this direct confrontation with Tehran.

Indeed, Iranian media circulated through their social networks records of the U.S. aggression and indicated that the missiles may have been launched from a base situated in Kuwait.

Centcom justified the attacks by stating that the Strait of Hormuz constitutes a «vital maritime corridor for global trade» that, as they emphasized, «Iran does not control,» reported RT.

However, the human consequences were not long in coming: in Mahshahr County, in southwestern Iran, at least one person was killed and four others injured when a projectile struck the facilities of an agricultural water pumping station. Local authorities confirmed that the deceased was a guard at the facility, while medical services continue to monitor the condition of those affected by the American attack.

Iran Responds to Bases Used by the U.S. in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait

The response from Tehran was swift and forceful. Iranian media reported powerful explosions in Jordan, where missiles are believed to have struck the Muwaffaq Salti air base, used by U.S. forces for their regional operations.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed launching retaliatory attacks against the Prince Hassan air base in Jordan and the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain, as well as the Ali Al Salem and Ahmed Al Jaber bases in Kuwait. Explosions also rattled Kuwait and Bahrain during the early hours of Monday, with columns of smoke covering the sky in some areas, particularly near the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, according to images shared by Persian media.

The Iranian army additionally announced a new wave of drone strikes against U.S. bases in Kuwait in response to what they deem «illegal» aggressions by Washington in the Middle East, as reported by RT.

The drones targeted military facilities, defense systems, missiles, shelters, and support bases, according to an official statement accompanied by a video showing the aircraft in action.

In this environment of rising tensions, Iran issued a stern warning to third countries, urging them not to permit the United States to use their territories to attack the Persian nation, as otherwise they would become «legitimate targets for Tehran’s defensive actions.»

The IRGC stated that «the Strait of Hormuz is our territory» and warned that they will not tolerate the interference of «a rogue and child-killing army» in the area.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its determination to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any military aggression, warned against any form of participation or cooperation with the aggressor parties.