Iran Launches Missiles Towards Kuwait And Bahrain; US Responds With Qeshm Island Strike

Tensions in the Gulf escalated sharply on Tuesday after the United States carried out strikes on Iran's strategic Qeshm Island and claimed to have thwarted multiple missile and drone attacks launched by Tehran against regional targets. The latest exchange comes despite a ceasefire that has technically remained in place between Washington and Tehran since April, highlighting the fragile nature of efforts to end the conflict.

US Says Iranian Missiles Failed To Reach Targets

According to the US Central Command (Centcom), Iran launched several ballistic missiles towards neighbouring countries in the Gulf, but none successfully reached their intended destinations.

"Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors; however, all failed to hit their intended targets," Centcom said in a statement.

The US military said two missiles fired towards Kuwait either fell short or broke apart before reaching their targets. It also stated that three missiles launched at Bahrain were intercepted by a joint response from American and Bahraini air defence systems.

Kuwait's military separately confirmed that its air defence units were responding to what it described as "hostile" missile and drone attacks.

US Conducts Self-Defence Strike On Qeshm Island

As the attacks unfolded, American forces launched strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy transit routes. The island sits along the key maritime corridor through which a significant share of global oil and gas shipments pass.

Centcom said the operation targeted an "Iranian military ground control station" and described the action as a self-defence measure. The military added that no American personnel were injured during the incident.

The US also reported intercepting and destroying three Iranian attack drones that were allegedly headed towards civilian vessels travelling through regional waters.

Revolutionary Guards Claim Strike On US Bases

Iran's Revolutionary Guards responded by claiming they had targeted American military facilities in the region, including installations linked to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

In a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency, the Revolutionary Guards claimed they had struck the US military installations in response to the strike on Qeshm Island.

The US military strongly rejected those claims.

"FALSE," Centcom said in a post on X. "All Iranian attacks on American forces failed."

🚫 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… pic.twitter.com/KuYzaENUqI

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 2, 2026

The exchange marks one of the most significant confrontations since the ceasefire agreement was reached earlier this year.

Ceasefire Under Pressure As Regional Tensions Grow

Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been in effect since April 8, negotiations aimed at securing a long-term settlement have made little progress.

Iran warned on Monday that Israel's expanding military operations in Lebanon could jeopardise the ceasefire arrangement and further destabilise the region.

Meanwhile, Washington continues to enforce a naval blockade imposed on Iran since April 13. Earlier on Tuesday, US forces fired a missile at a vessel attempting to reach an Iranian port in alleged violation of the blockade, disabling the ship.

American officials said six vessels have now been stopped while attempting to breach the restrictions, underscoring the growing maritime dimension of the standoff in the Gulf.

With missile launches, military strikes and maritime confrontations continuing despite the ceasefire, concerns remain high that the conflict could once again spiral into a broader regional crisis.