The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes over the weekend near the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two countries.
The US Central Command confirmed it carried out what it described as self-defence strikes on Iranian radar and drone command-and-control sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island, saying the action was in direct response to Iran shooting down an American MQ-9 drone operating over international waters. Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has since announced it launched a retaliatory strike on an air base it claims was used to attack a telecommunications tower on its Sirik Island, though Tehran did not disclose the base’s location or the outcome of the strike.
Adding to regional tension, Kuwait’s military activated its air defence systems on Monday after detecting incoming missiles and drones approaching the country. The Kuwaiti army, in a statement posted on X, said its systems were actively intercepting the threats and that any explosion sounds heard by residents were the result of air defences engaging incoming projectiles. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks on Kuwait, and there is no immediate information on casualties or damage. Flights have been diverted away from Kuwaiti airspace as a precautionary measure.
Against this backdrop of military exchanges, diplomatic channels remain cautiously open. US President Donald Trump said he is close to reaching a very good deal with Iran, even though American media reports suggest he is pushing for significantly tougher terms than previously discussed.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington is ongoing but was careful to note that nothing can be considered final until a deal is formally concluded. Elsewhere, Israel’s expanding ground invasion of Lebanon has drawn sharp international criticism. France has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the situation.
