US-Iran Conflict Erupts: War’s Impact Reaches Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait; Alert Issued Across 4 Nations

New Delhi. After a month-long lull, conflict has flared up again in the Middle East. The US launched attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions inside Iran for the second consecutive day; in retaliation, Iran targeted the Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan—and the US Marine outpost located there—with ballistic missiles.

Simultaneously, a massive drone attack struck Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Airbase, while Kuwait also confirmed drone attacks on its territory. According to the Jordanian military, its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 10 out of 13 ballistic missiles that entered its airspace; the remaining three landed in uninhabited areas far from population centers, resulting in no reported casualties.

In a statement, the IRGC claimed to have delivered a “regrettable response” to the aggressors. The organization asserted that a large number of US troops were killed in the attack, though there has been no confirmation of this claim from the US side. Conversely, a US official dismissed the claim as false, noting that the statement issued by Central Command (CENTCOM) made no mention of any US military casualties.

Iranian media also reported that the attack on the Bahraini airbase targeted radar systems and areas where US troops were stationed. Sirens were heard in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, and there were reports of rockets being intercepted in mid-air.

This entire confrontation began when the US launched attacks on IRGC positions near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. CENTCOM stated that the operation commenced in the evening (Indian Standard Time) in response to Iranian attempts to target commercial vessels and US troops stationed in the region.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that this action was a response to Iran’s failed attempt to lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz and a missile attack on a US base in Jordan. Trump warned that any further retaliation by Iran would be met with a much harsher and larger-scale response, though he noted that this was not yet the “big” attack—implying that a truly massive strike was yet to come.

Iranian state media reported explosions in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Jask, Sirik, Asaluyeh, Konarak, and Lavan, while an attack was also reported at a civilian airport in the city of Jiroft. The most tragic news came from Sirik, where a US strike hit a house hosting a wedding ceremony. According to the Iranian Red Crescent, at least four people, including a child, were killed and over fifty were injured in the attack.

In his first message following the attacks, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated that his military held lessons for Washington that would never be forgotten. The IRGC also claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks on US bases in the Erbil province of northern Iraq, asserting the destruction of a repair center, a warehouse, and the guidance system of a US surveillance balloon; however, these claims could not be independently verified.

Earlier on Monday, two oil tankers leaving the Strait of Hormuz had been attacked—the first such confrontation since July. Following this, Brent crude prices surged by nearly four percent. In fact, since the US and Israeli strikes in February, Iran has largely halted vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital waterway handling one-fifth of the world’s oil—thereby impacting the global economy. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian seeks a resolution through dialogue but is imposing conditions—such as control over the IRGC and demands for economic compensation—that are unacceptable to the US.

Meanwhile, the US has once again issued a travel advisory for the entire Middle East. Iran is working with Oman to establish a framework for maritime traffic. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to discuss regional stability. Separately, the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, stated that it has been unable to inspect Iran’s nuclear sites since the conflict in June 2025; consequently, the current status of its uranium stockpiles cannot be determined.

Amidst regional tensions, the Israeli military detained a senior Hamas security official during an operation in Gaza; four people, including two children, were killed during the incident. In Yemen, Saudi-backed security forces killed Islamic State spokesman Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari; the US played no role in this operation.