The United States military has concluded a series of airstrikes hitting approximately 90 targets across Iran, triggering immediate retaliatory drone and missile attacks by Iran against U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The escalation follows a collapse in diplomatic tensions, with France attributing the violence to Iranian violations of a previous truce in Omani waters.
US Military Strikes 90 Targets in Western Iran
The U.S. military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Thursday that it has ended its latest round of operations after striking roughly 90 targets within Iran. Black-and-white footage released by CENTCOM shows strikes targeting missile launchers and an airport runway. The military stated its forces remain “vigilant, lethal, and prepared” for further operations directed by the Commander in Chief.
On the ground, the impact was felt heavily in western Iran. Valiollah Hayati, the deputy governor of Khuzestan for security and law enforcement, told the official news agency IRNA that three people were killed and several others wounded during an attack on the outskirts of Ahvaz.
The strikes also disrupted critical national infrastructure. State television reported that the Tehran-Mashhad railway service is currently suspended. The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways attributed the outage to a “criminal attack by the US-Israeli enemy” and has deployed repair teams to the route. This disruption occurred shortly before the scheduled burial of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei in the eastern holy city.
Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes on Gulf Bases
Iran responded to the U.S. campaign with a coordinated wave of kamikaze drones and missiles targeting U.S. military installations in three neighboring Gulf states. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed in a statement carried by IRIB that it struck “key infrastructure and facilities” at the Arifjan and Ali Al Salem bases in Kuwait, as well as the Juffair and Sheikh Isa bases in Bahrain.
Iranian state media detailed the specific targets of these “one-way attack drones”:
- Kuwait: A Patriot missile interceptor system.
- Qatar: An early warning system.
- Bahrain: Strategic fuel tanks.
In Bahrain’s capital, Manama, an AFP correspondent reported explosions following the activation of air raid sirens. Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti military confirmed via X that its air defenses intercepted “hostile missile and drone attacks,” noting that any audible explosions were the result of successful interceptions.
Diplomatic Collapse and the Strait of Hormuz
France has placed the blame for the escalation on Tehran. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told TF1 television that Iran brought the U.S. attacks upon itself by violating a truce deal. Barrot stated that Iran violated international law and its own commitments by targeting ships sailing in Omani waters.
Tehran has responded by threatening to restrict global shipping. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator, posted on X that the Strait of Hormuz will now only open under “Iranian arrangements.” Ghalibaf warned that “bullying and breaking promises” would have consequences, stating plainly, “If you strike, you will be struck.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry further escalated the rhetoric by blasting the NATO chief for “willful complicity” in what it termed the “war on Iran.”
Conflict Summary: September 7, 2026
| Entity | Action Taken | Reported Impact |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Airstrikes on 90 targets in Iran | 3 dead in Ahvaz; Tehran-Mashhad railway damaged |
| Iran (IRGC/Army) | Drone/Missile strikes on Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar | Targets hit: Patriot systems, fuel tanks, early warning systems |
| France | Diplomatic condemnation | Blamed Iran for violating Omani water truce |
| Kuwait/Bahrain | Air defense activation | Intercepted missiles; air raid sirens sounded |
The IRGC has warned that its responses will expand to other bases across the region if the United States repeats its attacks. With the Strait of Hormuz now under threatened Iranian control, global energy markets and regional stability remain precariously balanced on whether negotiations can resume.
