DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States bombed radar and drone sites in Iran after Tehran shot down an American drone over the weekend. In response, Iran launched missiles toward U.S. troops in Kuwait on Monday, which American forces successfully intercepted, officials said.
The exchange highlights the shaky nature of a weeks-long ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Even as both sides continue negotiating to extend the truce and end the conflict, repeated attacks threaten to derail diplomatic efforts.
Kuwait reported that its air defenses engaged incoming drones and missiles early Monday morning. Sirens sounded across Kuwait City as the attacks unfolded. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the strike, describing it as retaliation for U.S. aggression. The U.S. military’s Central Command confirmed that American forces shot down two ballistic missiles headed toward bases housing U.S. troops. No American personnel were injured.
Strikes and Retaliation
The U.S. strikes on Iran targeted sites near the city of Geruk and on Qeshm Island. According to Central Command, the attacks hit air defense systems, a ground control station, and two drones that posed a threat to ships in the region. The action came in direct response to Iran downing a U.S. MQ-1 drone operating over international waters.
Iran has kept up pressure by maintaining its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies. Traffic through the strait has dropped sharply since the war began, with only about a third of the normal number of major cargo ships passing through in recent days. This disruption has driven up fuel prices worldwide and raised concerns about food shortages, as the Gulf region supplies 30% of the world’s traded chemical fertilizers.
On Monday, a cargo ship near Umm Qasr, Iraq, was hit by a projectile, causing a large explosion, according to the British military. Iran has previously carried out similar attacks in the area.
Broader Regional Tensions
The fragile ceasefire is further complicated by ongoing fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Despite their own nominal truce, both sides continue to clash, with Israel maintaining a deep presence in Lebanon and Hezbollah launching drones into Israeli territory.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to reduce hostilities following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Israel soon reported detecting new missile launches from Lebanon. Iran has insisted that any final deal with the U.S. must also address the situation in Lebanon.
Iranian officials blamed the United States for the rising tensions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said negotiations were taking place in an “atmosphere of mistrust,” accusing Washington of frequently changing its positions.
Uncertain Path Forward
The war between the U.S. and Iran began on Feb. 28 with American and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. President Trump has cited preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons as a key goal, though Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful. Tehran has accumulated enough highly enriched uranium to potentially build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so.
Talks to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz are continuing, according to Trump. However, each new attack increases the risk that diplomacy could collapse. Kuwait, which hosts U.S. Army Central Command, now finds itself directly caught in the crossfire.
This latest round of violence comes as global leaders watch closely to see whether the fragile negotiations can hold or if the region will slide back into full-scale conflict.