Tehran – Washington: Europe and the Arabs

The situation in the Gulf region has witnessed a dangerous escalation in recent hours, despite the current truce that followed a period of tit-for-tat attacks between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that a communications tower belonging to it in southern Qeshm Island was targeted by a US airstrike, confirming its retaliation by targeting a US base and the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet in the Gulf with missiles and drones, in addition to targeting a US ship in response to the attack on an Iranian oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz.

The Revolutionary Guard indicated that any aggression would be met with a "different and more severe" response, considering that the Iranian response had already been carried out.

Under the headline "Repelling New Iranian Drone Attacks on US Forces in Kuwait," European media outlets in Brussels, including the Belgian daily newspaper Nieuwsblad, reported: "The US military reported that it repelled new Iranian drone attacks." U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote on its website: "An additional wave of Iranian drones attempting to attack U.S. forces in Kuwait failed to hit their intended targets last night. U.S. Central Command air defense systems successfully shot down several drones, ensuring no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment."

Iran launches missiles at ship in retaliation for U.S. tanker attack

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it attacked not only U.S. bases in the region but also a ship near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. attacks on an Iranian oil tanker and Qeshm Island. CNN reported that the IRGC stated on the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB that it launched missiles at the Liberian-flagged vessel "Panaya" in response to the U.S. attack on an oil tanker bound for a major Iranian oil port on Kharg Island.

According to the IRGC, the U.S. also bombed a military communications tower on Qeshm Island. Iran announced it launched missile and drone attacks in retaliation against a U.S. air base, helicopters, and the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) added, "Any further aggression will be met with a different and more severe response."

The U.S. military has already acknowledged conducting "defensive strikes" on a command center in Qeshm and announced it intercepted missiles and drones targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. It also reportedly shot down drones launched at civilian mariners. The military confirmed that the Iranian attacks on U.S. forces missed their targets. The U.S. stated, "All Iranian attacks on U.S. forces failed."

The U.S. military released a "fact-check" regarding the IRGC's claim that it "struck the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and a U.S. air base in the region with missiles and drones today," calling it "false."

The truth: All Iranian attacks on U.S. forces failed. U.S. forces remain vigilant and prepared to defend themselves against any unprovoked Iranian aggression. The U.S. military: "The United States conducted defensive strikes against Iran, which attacked Kuwait, Bahrain, and a civilian vessel."

"U.S. forces successfully shot down several Iranian ballistic missiles and drones and conducted defensive strikes on Qeshm Island in response to Iran's attempted attacks in the Middle East on June 2," said a statement from the U.S. Central Command's Middle East Public Affairs Center on X.

"Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward neighboring countries, but all missed their targets. Two Iranian missiles aimed at Kuwait failed to reach their targets or crashed en route, while U.S. and Bahraini air defenses immediately intercepted three missiles aimed at Bahrain."

Shortly before this, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces shot down three Iranian attack drones targeting civilian mariners legally operating in international waters. U.S. forces also conducted defensive strikes on an Iranian military land command post on Qeshm Island.

The military added: "No U.S. personnel were injured. CENTCOM forces remain vigilant and ready to defend against any unauthorized Iranian aggression during the current ceasefire period."