With end-of-war talks between the United States and Iran stuck in a stalemate, the U.S. military has again struck Iranian military facilities. The United States stressed it was a "limited response in self-defense," but Iran immediately launched retaliatory attacks, heightening tensions in the Middle East again.
U.S. Central Command said on the 1st (local time) on social media X (formerly Twitter) that it "struck Iran's radar and drone control facilities located in Ghorouk and Qeshm Island in southern Iran in self-defense." The attacks took place on the 30th–31st of last month and were a response to Iranian threats against a U.S. MQ-1 drone operating over international waters, Central Command said.
Central Command said the operation eliminated two explosive-laden drones, as well as air defenses and ground control facilities, that could threaten ships near the Strait of Hormuz. It added, "Even during a cease-fire, we will respond to acts that threaten U.S. assets and interests," emphasizing it has no intention to escalate.
Earlier, Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported on the 29th of last month that Iranian forces shot down a U.S. military drone over Bushehr Province in the south. Iranian media said they fired a surface-to-air missile to bring down the drone, but at the time U.S. Central Command released a statement saying, "No U.S. aircraft have been shot down, and all U.S. air assets have been accounted for."
Iran moved to retaliate immediately after the U.S. strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on state television that it "struck the air base that was the source of the attack in response to the U.S. attack on communications facilities on Sirik Island." It did not disclose specific targets, but foreign media believe a U.S. Air Force base in Kuwait was targeted. According to the Associated Press, Kuwaiti authorities said that day they were intercepting drones and missiles. The perpetrator was not immediately confirmed, but the AP assessed it was likely the Iranian military or Iran-backed pro-Iran Shiite militias in Iraq.