Early Sunday morning, Iran launched new attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain in retaliation for the American strikes on its territory on Saturday. The escalation came amid mutual accusations between the two sides of violating the ceasefire, casting a shadow over ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a final settlement to the war in the Middle East.

The military escalation also unfolded against the backdrop of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, a strategic waterway for global energy supplies, where Iran had imposed a navigation ban following the war launched against it by the United States and Israel on February 28, triggering a severe shock in global markets.

Iran condemned the strikes, affirming its "steadfast resolve to defend its sovereignty" against what it described as "American military aggression," according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched strikes early Sunday on Kuwait and Bahrain, warning that any new American aggression under any pretext would be met with an "overwhelming response."

In a statement, the Revolutionary Guard said it had targeted "eight important military sites and infrastructure of the American army at Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the Fifth Naval Fleet at Salman Port in Bahrain," claiming they had been destroyed.

Boats anchored off the northern Musandam Peninsula in Oman near the Strait of Hormuz (AFP).

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates condemned "in the strongest terms the aggressive Iranian attacks targeting the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain using drones." The Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attacks represented "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain and a threat to its security and stability."

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia also condemned "in the strongest terms the heinous Iranian aggressions on the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as on the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz." The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Kuwait

Kuwait condemned what it called the "recurrent heinous Iranian aggressions on the State of Kuwait," saying they undermine efforts to permanently end the war in the Middle East. It denounced the "blatant violation" of its sovereignty after the army announced it had repelled "hostile missile and drone attacks."

In Bahrain, where sirens sounded twice during the night, the armed forces said air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed a number of "treacherous Iranian air attacks," stressing the need to maintain the highest levels of readiness.

Bahrain

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the renewed "Iranian aggression" against the Kingdom, calling for international action to halt the repeated attacks.

Qatar

Qatar strongly condemned "the repeated Iranian attacks on the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain and the sisterly State of Kuwait using numerous missiles and drones," describing them as a blatant violation of the sovereignty of both countries and a flagrant breach of international law. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need to spare the region the consequences of unjustifiable attacks, continue dialogue and diplomacy, de-escalate tensions, and build on the gains achieved under the memorandum of understanding to strengthen regional and international security and stability. The ministry also reaffirmed Qatar's full solidarity with Bahrain and Kuwait and its support for all measures they take to safeguard their sovereignty and security.

Egypt

Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, describing them as a blatant violation of the sovereignty of both countries and a direct threat to their security and stability.

Jordan

Jordan also condemned the "heinous Iranian aggressions" targeting Bahrain and Kuwait with missiles and drones, describing them as a flagrant violation of their sovereignty, a threat to their security and territorial integrity, a dangerous escalation, and a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter.

Oman

Oman condemned the military attacks on Kuwaiti territory at dawn, reaffirming its full solidarity with Kuwait and rejecting all actions that threaten regional security and stability. It also called for restraint and prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy to contain the escalation and promote regional peace.

Gulf Cooperation Council

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, condemned the Iranian missile and drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, describing them as a blatant violation of sovereignty and international law. He said the attacks undermine regional peace efforts and reaffirmed the GCC's full support for the measures taken by both countries to protect their security.

"Blatant Violation of State Sovereignty"... Aoun Condemns Attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait

Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun also condemned the attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, saying the escalation constituted "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of states and a direct threat to the security and stability of the region."

President Aoun said the continued attacks undermine regional and international efforts to end the war and contain tensions, calling for urgent action by the sponsors of the American-Iranian memorandum of understanding and the international community to stop the attacks and prevent the region from sliding into further escalation.

He reaffirmed Lebanon's full solidarity with Bahrain and Kuwait and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path to resolving conflicts and preserving regional security.