Tehran vows wider retaliation as explosions reported in Bahrain and oil prices surge amid escalating West Asia conflict
Tehran - Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Thursday they had launched missile and drone attacks on key U.S. military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain in direct response to fresh American strikes on Iranian territory.
According to a statement aired on state television, the Guards targeted critical infrastructure at the Arifjan and Ali Al Salem bases in Kuwait, and the Juffair and Sheikh Isa bases in Bahrain. The IRGC warned that it would expand its strikes to other U.S. facilities in the region if American attacks continued.
### Explosions in Bahrain
The announcement followed reports of explosions in Bahrain’s capital, Manama. Air raid sirens sounded in the city, and an AFP correspondent confirmed hearing blasts shortly afterwards. The incidents came after the IRGC had promised a “devastating response” to the latest U.S. military action against Iran.
### Background of Escalation
The U.S. carried out new strikes on Iran on Wednesday after President Donald Trump pledged a strong retaliation against Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. While authorising the strikes, Trump expressed hope that the military flare-up would be short-lived and indicated that diplomatic channels remained open.
Iran, meanwhile, has taken a hard line on the Strait of Hormuz, with its chief negotiator stating that the vital waterway would be reopened only under “Iranian arrangements.”
### Oil Prices Climb
The renewed hostilities pushed oil prices higher on Thursday, as markets grew concerned over the prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint that accounted for about one-fifth of global oil supplies before the conflict intensified.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation even as both sides appear to leave limited room for de-escalation.
**Live Updates:**
- Iran Guards claim successful strikes on U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain
- Explosions heard in Bahrain after air raid sirens
- U.S. President Trump says strikes aimed to end conflict quickly
*Also Read: How India withstood the crisis in West Asia | Is the U.S.-Iran agreement falling apart?*
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