Iran has claimed to have launched attacks on United States military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan again, and targeted two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US airstrikes on the country.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched drone strikes on Bahrain’s Shaikh Isa airbase and Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber airbases early on Thursday.
(Left to right) Australian ANZAC Class frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) and USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) wait off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, as they prepare for Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-32 (FTM-32), held March 28, 2024.
There aren’t any reports of damage yet from Iran’s strikes. A U.S. official said Iran’s assault a day earlier caused no significant damage or harm to U.S. personnel.
Nearly all missiles and drones were intercepted or failed to reach their intended targets, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Iran Claims Civilian Infrastructure Hit
Iranian state media reported Wednesday that two desalination plants and a water tank serving the southern city of Sirik were destroyed during the U.S. attack, leaving 20,000 people without access to water during extreme heat.
The strike on the plants was denied by CENTCOM, which stated that the command doesn’t target civilian infrastructure. But news media around the world quickly jumped on the story as a “war crime.”
Iran claimed the US did a similar strike earlier in the air campaign that was later debunked. But amazingly enough, Iran then posted that it restored the water supply just a few hours later.
President Trump said U.S. forces will hit Iran “Very Hard Tonight” after the attacks against U.S. bases across the Middle East early Thursday.
(Feb. 13, 2013) A Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1A interceptor is launched from the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) during a Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy test in the Pacific Ocean. The SM-3 Block 1A successfully intercepted a target missile that had been launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
The attacks by Iran set off panic in many corners that the conflict in Iran will once again become a full-blown conflict. Although the ceasefire has been in name only, as Tehran has routinely broken it. Two days after it was signed, Iran attacked Kuwait with drones. On May 4, Iran attacked a UAE oil refinery with drones and missiles.
On May 17, Iran launched missiles against Saudi oil fields and against a UAE nuclear facility. The list goes on.
President Trump Threatens To Take Kharg Island And the Oil
The president threatened more retaliatory strikes and added that the U.S. would seek to seize and control the country’s oil and gas facilities at Kharg Island.
Kharg Island is located about 15 miles from the Iranian mainland in the Persian Gulf, and is the centerpiece of Iran’s oil infrastructure. 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports move through there.
In March, the U.S. conducted air strikes against Iran’s military on the island, but did not target any of the oil facilities, which remain intact but unused due to the blockade by the US Navy.
“At some point in the not-too-distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela,” Trump posted on his Truth Social page. Whether it is an actual goal or just another way to tweak the IRGC remains to be seen.
Shortly after threatening to take control of the island, Trump told Fox News that he is not sure “America has the stomach” to take Kharg. The U.S. is continuing to hold talks with Iran, the president said.
“I think they’d like to see us come home, but we did it with Venezuela,” Trump told Fox News via live phone call. “Venezuela’s worked out great for everybody.”
Trump Tweaks The IRGC With Talk Of Tankers Getting Through
The IRGC also announced that the Strait of Hormuz is “closed until further notice.” Which was a curious statement, considering the Iranians had already labeled it closed before… or was it?
President Trump, while speaking with reporters on live television, said that the United States has been sneaking millions of barrels of oil out of the Strait of Hormuz at night.
“We took out the other night 22 ships late at night with no lights, because they don’t have any radar, because we blasted the crap out of it [Iran’s strategic infrastructure].”
US Cancels Air Strikes, Oil Prices Tumble
Shortly after threatening another round of retaliatory air strikes and then taking Kharg Island along with control of Iran’s oil, President Trump then took to social media again and canceled the air strikes for tonight, citing progress in peace negotiations with Iran.
Shortly after his Truth Social post, oil prices tumbled by 3%, falling below $90 a barrel.
He posted that discussions “have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership” and are close to being approved. The president added that the naval blockade would remain and, without further explanation, suggested that a “signing” would be announced soon.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
