US Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Violation After Missile Attack on Kuwait

The United States accused Iran of violating a fragile ceasefire on Thursday after Kuwait reported intercepting missiles and drones launched toward its territory following new American strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to U.S. Central Command, the missiles were fired late Wednesday and targeted Kuwait, one of Washington’s closest Gulf allies and host to several major American military installations.

Military officials described the incident as an “egregious ceasefire violation” amid ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the seven-week conflict.

Kuwait intercepts missiles after US strikes on Iran

The escalation came hours after U.S. officials confirmed American forces carried out additional strikes against Iranian military targets.

Washington said its forces destroyed four attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz and struck a ground-control station in Bandar Abbas that was allegedly preparing to launch another drone.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard later acknowledged the incident near Bandar Abbas International Airport and said it had retaliated by targeting the air base responsible for the strikes.

Iranian officials did not directly identify Kuwait as the location of the retaliation.

However, Kuwait’s military confirmed its air-defense systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones early Thursday.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, calling it “blatant aggression.”

Ceasefire tensions threaten ongoing negotiations

Despite repeated military exchanges this week, both Washington and Tehran continue participating in indirect negotiations aimed at preventing a wider regional war.

Donald Trump has insisted his administration is making progress toward an agreement that could reopen shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and reduce tensions across the region.

The strait remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, previously handling nearly 20% of global oil and natural gas trade.

The conflict has severely disrupted maritime traffic and triggered sharp increases in global oil prices, fueling inflation concerns worldwide.

The United States is seeking an agreement that would also force Iran to abandon its highly enriched uranium stockpile.

Meanwhile, Tehran continues demanding relief from economic sanctions and the release of frozen assets to stabilize its struggling economy.

Iran also insists that any long-term agreement must include an end to Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Fighting in Lebanon intensifies

The regional crisis expanded further Thursday as Israel launched new airstrikes on southern Beirut suburbs and the coastal city of Tyre.

Lebanese officials said at least 14 people were killed across southern Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned earlier this week that Israeli operations against Hezbollah would intensify following drone attacks targeting Israeli troops and border towns.

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah officially took effect in April, but repeated clashes have continued to test the agreement.

Lebanese and Israeli military officials are expected to hold security talks in Washington on Friday as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent the wider conflict from spiraling further across the Middle East.