Key facts
- Iran launched drone attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain.
- The U.S. conducted overnight aerial bombardments of Iran.
- Iran claimed a U.S. strike hit a wedding party, resulting in civilian casualties.
- Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian air attacks.
- Kuwait experienced a fire at a residential complex due to an Iranian drone.
- Two sailors were killed in an attack on a Saudi vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran targeted Gulf allies of the United States on Wednesday, firing drones at Kuwait and Bahrain following overnight U.S. aerial bombardment of Iran. Iranian officials stated that one of the U.S. strikes hit a wedding party, resulting in at least five deaths and dozens of injuries. Iran's government spokesperson described the attack as a crime.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes on Iranian military targets, including air defense sites and radar systems. However, Iranian media reported that a U.S. strike in Kuhestak hit a home hosting a wedding, killing five people, including children, and wounding at least 68.
Bahrain announced that its air defense systems intercepted several Iranian air attacks early Wednesday, accusing Iran of "persisting in its systematic hostile approach." Iranian state media reported that Iran launched drone attacks on U.S. bases in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation.
Kuwait's government communications center reported a fire at a residential complex in the capital after an Iranian drone strike, which was contained with no reported casualties.
Separately, Saudi shipping company Bahri stated that two Filipino sailors were killed in an attack on their vessel, the SIDR, as it transited the Strait of Hormuz late Monday. Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, impacting global trade and energy prices.
In diplomatic news, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo. This visit follows Xi's attendance at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization conference and occurs amidst U.S. sanctions aimed at isolating Iran economically.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to mediating between the U.S. and Iran, with support from regional countries. Pakistani officials confirmed meetings between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Masoud Pezeshkian, and between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on the sidelines of the SCO summit. Pakistan's army chief also recently visited Iran to discuss regional de-escalation and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
In another incident, a car drove through a crowd in a northern Iranian city, killing four people.