U.S. Intercepts Iranian Ballistic Missiles and Drones Targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, Strikes Ground Control Station on Qeshm Island

MIDDLE EAST — U.S. forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched toward Kuwait and Bahrain, and conducted strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island, according to U.S. Central Command.

The intercepts covered two missiles directed at Kuwait and three missiles directed at Bahrain. CENTCOM reported that all missiles failed to reach their intended targets.

CENTCOM said that it had shot down three one-way attack drones launched by Iran toward civilian mariners that were transiting regional waters.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that it had carried out retaliatory strikes against a U.S. military air base and the U.S. Fifth Fleet’s headquarters with missile and drones, after which CENTCOM released a statement saying that the claims were false.

According to CENTCOM no U.S. personnel were harmed during the operations, adding that its forces remain on alert to counter further Iranian actions.

Official Statements

• U.S. Central Command, June 2 public release titled U.S., Partner Forces Defend Against Aggressive Iranian Behavior: “U.S. forces successfully defeated multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and conducted self-defense strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East, June 2. Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors; however, all failed to hit their intended targets. Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart enroute, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were immediately intercepted by U.S. and Bahrain air defense forces. Moments earlier, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces shot down three one-way attack drones launched by Iran toward civilian mariners that were rightfully transiting regional waters. American forces also conducted self-defense strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island. No U.S. personnel were harmed. CENTCOM forces remain vigilant and ready to defend against unwarranted Iranian aggression during the ongoing ceasefire.”

• U.S. Central Command, June 1 statement on Kuwait intercepts: “Last night at 11 p.m. ET, U.S. forces successfully intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting American forces based in Kuwait. These missiles were immediately defeated and no American personnel were harmed. U.S. Central Command remains vigilant and will continue to protect our forces from Iranian aggression while supporting the ongoing ceasefire.”

• U.S. Central Command, June 2 statement addressing Iranian claims: “CLAIM: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims they struck U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and a U.S. air base in the region with missiles and drones today. FALSE. TRUTH: All Iranian attacks on American forces failed. U.S. forces remain vigilant and ready to defend against unwarranted Iranian aggression.”

• United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 1 statement: “The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms terrorist drone and missile attacks by Iran targeting the State of Kuwait. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that these terrorist attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Kuwait and a threat to its security and stability.”

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain statement on attacks targeting Kuwait: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain has strongly condemned the Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait, describing them as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and violates international law. The Kingdom reaffirmed its full solidarity with Kuwait and praised its armed forces and air defenses for successfully countering the attacks.”