Tensions in the Gulf are escalating following US strikes against several Iranian radar installations. The US Central Command ( CENTCOM ) announced that it had struck radar sites in Goruk and on the island of Qeshm , describing the operation as defensive in nature. The United States also announced that it had shot down four Iranian drones heading towards the Strait of Hormuz.

On the diplomatic front, President Donald Trump stated that a peace agreement has not yet been reached because the Iranian leadership remains "strong" and "proud," but maintained that Tehran "will have no choice" but to accept an agreement. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran demands the release of at least half of its frozen assets as a condition for a deal. Trump also estimated that Tehran retains between 21 and 22 percent of its missile arsenal.

A few hours after the American strikes, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced that they had struck "enemy bases" in the region with missiles and drones . Following the attack, Kuwait announced that its air defenses were engaged in repelling "hostile attacks" conducted with missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Kuwaiti Armed Forces General Staff stated that the explosions heard by the population were due to interception operations by national defense systems. The attack comes three days after the raid on the country's airport, attributed to Iran.

The alert has also spread to Bahrain , where sirens have been activated and flights suspended. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, the Interior Minister has urged residents to immediately reach the nearest safe havens. Both Kuwait and Bahrain host major US military bases in the Gulf and had already raised their alert levels due to fears of possible attacks following the US military action against Iran.

(Unioneonline/vf)

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