Iran declares ‘full-scale war’ after missile attack on US base in Kuwait, Trump warns of…, here’s what we know

US-Iran tensions have escalated sharply after Iran claimed it launched missile strikes on a US military base in Kuwait, following fresh American attacks on several strategic locations inside Iran. The latest developments have raised fears of a wider conflict that could disrupt global energy supplies and threaten security in the Strait of Hormuz.

What happened at the US base in Kuwait?

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the Iranian army fired surface-to-surface missiles at the US Army’s HIMARS missile systems stationed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the conflict as a “full-scale war”, signalling a major escalation.

Iran said the HIMARS systems were targeted because they play a key role in US military operations. Camp Arifjan, located south of Kuwait City, houses personnel from the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Why did the US launch fresh strikes on Iran?

The Iranian attack came after the United States carried out a new round of military strikes on several strategic locations across Iran. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation was conducted under the direction of the Commander in Chief.

The US said the strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities, claiming they have been used to support attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.

Where were explosions reported in Iran?

Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, home to major Iranian naval facilities overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. Air defence systems were also activated near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, suggesting heightened military readiness.

Further explosions were reported in Chabahar, Konarak and Qeshm Island. Chabahar is one of Iran’s most important commercial ports, while Konarak hosts a key Iranian naval base.