Tensions in the Gulf Last Night

▪️ Iran reported explosions on Qeshm Island overnight.

▪️ U.S. Central Command announced that it disabled an oil tanker attempting to break the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and reach Kharg Island. According to CENTCOM, an American missile struck the vessel’s engine room after it failed to respond to orders to stop for nearly a day.

▪️ Air defense systems were activated in Kuwait following missile and drone launches. Later, sirens were also heard in Bahrain.

▪️ The Revolutionary Guards claimed that the United States attacked an Iranian oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz using aerial munitions. In response, they said their navy attacked the Panaya vessel.

▪️ The Revolutionary Guards also claimed that, in response to an attack on one of their communications towers in southern Qeshm Island, they launched missiles and drones against a U.S. military base in one of the Gulf countries, as well as against the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

“We have already warned that in the event of aggression, our response would be different and more severe, and so we acted accordingly. These responses were intended to serve as a lesson. Any threat to the security of the Strait of Hormuz will exact a heavy price from the attacking U.S. military.”

▪️ CENTCOM stated that American forces successfully intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. It also reported carrying out self-defense strikes on Qeshm Island in response to Iranian attack attempts, including a strike against an Iranian ground military command facility.

According to CENTCOM, two Iranian missiles launched toward Kuwait either fell short or disintegrated in flight, while three missiles fired toward Bahrain were immediately intercepted by U.S. and Bahraini air defense systems.

▪️ The spokesman for Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense announced this morning that an Iranian drone attack caused significant damage to the terminal building at Kuwait International Airport and resulted in several injuries.

▪️ Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority announced that flights at the airport have been suspended and diverted to alternate airports until safety procedures are completed and the airport is cleared to resume operations.

Technical teams have begun inspecting and assessing the damage to facilities and operational systems in preparation for repair and restoration.