Renewed US-Iran hostilities raise doubts over ceasefire as Mideast tensions spiral

Renewed military strikes involving Iran and the United States rattled the Gulf region on Wednesday. At least one death was reported in Kuwait from the attacks, while Bahrain intercepted missiles and drones allegedly targeting civilian sites.

Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on X that it condemned the Iranian attacks using ballistic missiles and drones, which, it said, occurred at dawn on Wednesday, "targeting once again civilian and vital facilities, including Kuwait International Airport, resulting in the death of one individual, injuries to others, and damage to vital facilities, including diplomatic missions".

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"The ministry affirms the State of Kuwait's categorical rejection of Iran's overt aggressive attacks, which lead to increased escalation, heightened tension, and undermine the security and stability of the region, constituting a flagrant violation of the rules of international law, the United Nations Charter, and Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026," it said.

The foreign ministry stressed that "Kuwait's sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents on its territory are a red line that cannot be crossed".

"The ministry affirms that the State of Kuwait reserves its full and inherent right to take appropriate measures in response to these sinful and repeated Iranian aggressions, in accordance with international law," it said.

Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation said on Wednesday that flights were suspended until further notice and that it had activated its emergency plan at Kuwait International Airport. It said Terminal 1 was subjected to targeting by drones and missiles from the "Iranian aggression", resulting in significant damage to several airport facilities, as well as injuries.

The agency's spokesman Abdullah Al-Rajhi said the authorities handled the incident in accordance with approved procedures, and were committed to ensuring the safety of workers and passengers, and securing the airport's facilities.

In Bahrain, the General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force said Iran continued its systematic hostile approach through its attacks with missiles and drones that targeted civilian properties in Bahrain. The command said its air defense systems had destroyed three missiles and a number of drones. It said the deliberate use of missiles and drones to target civilian sites and private property constituted a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, Bahrain News Agency reported.

Retaliatory move

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in the early hours of Wednesday that it carried out retaliatory missile and drone attacks against the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet and other US military targets in response to repeated acts of aggression by the US, Tasnim News Agency reported.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the IRGC Public Relations Office said that late on Tuesday, the US military struck an Iranian oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz with an aerial projectile, causing damage to the vessel in the engine room area.

Further, the IRGC said that "in a renewed act of aggression, the American enemy targeted an IRGC communications tower in the south of Qeshm Island with aerial projectiles".

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the alleged targeting of an Iranian oil tanker in the strait and the attack on a telecommunications tower on Qeshm Island.

The ministry noted the attacks were launched in the early hours of Wednesday from the territories of two regional countries.

The US Central Command denied the allegations and said all attacks on its forces had failed and that they remained ready to defend themselves against unwarranted Iranian aggression.

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"An additional wave of Iranian drones attempting to attack US forces in Kuwait failed to impact intended targets tonight. US Central Command air defenses successfully downed multiple drones and ensured no American personnel or assets were harmed," it added.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump said Iran has agreed not to have a nuclear weapon and that he would probably meet with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei at some point if things "work out".

"They've already agreed they're not going to have a nuclear weapon," Trump told Pod Force One in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, while speaking about Iran.

Asked about Khamenei's involvement in talks with the US on ending hostilities, Trump said, "He's involved, absolutely. … I think they have a lot of respect for him."

Agencies contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at jan@chinadailyapac.com