Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a US-used airbase in Kuwait, saying it inflicted heavy casualties and destroyed key infrastructure. The claim, which has not been independently verified, marks the latest escalation in a widening cycle of strikes between Washington and Tehran across the Gulf.
What Iran says happened
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC said advanced “super-heavy” attack drones targeted Ali Al Salem Air Base, north of Kuwait City. It claimed the strike hit a large ammunition depot, triggering successive explosions that “completely destroyed” the facility.
The Guard added that the attack also destroyed six personnel accommodation hangars and extensively damaged three others. It said a “large number” of US personnel were killed or injured, though it gave no specific figures.
In a separate announcement, the Iranian army said “Arash” attack drones had targeted US military equipment warehouses at Camp Udairi and troop positions at Camp Arifjan and Camp Doha in Kuwait. Tehran described the operation as part of its ongoing “Operation Lightning” campaign against American forces in the region.
US and Kuwaiti response
US Central Command (Centcom) and Kuwaiti authorities have not confirmed casualties or major damage at Ali Al Salem. Previous Iranian claims of strikes on Kuwaiti bases have often been exaggerated or only partially accurate, according to US and regional officials.
Kuwait has repeatedly condemned Iranian attacks on its territory as violations of its sovereignty. In earlier incidents this year, Kuwait intercepted or shot down Iranian missiles and drones aimed at US-linked sites and labelled them “blatant violations” of its security.
Pattern of retaliation
Iran argues that any base in the Middle East used by the US to launch strikes against Iranian territory is a legitimate target. Tehran has repeatedly vowed to retaliate for American attacks on its military sites, radar installations and coastal defences near the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent weeks, the US has carried out multiple rounds of strikes on Iranian air defences, drone launch sites and command facilities. Washington says these are defensive actions following Iranian attacks on international shipping and US drones in the Gulf.
For its part, Iran has claimed drone and missile strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and other locations. Independent verification of damage and casualties has often been limited, with both sides using such claims for domestic and regional messaging.
Why this matters
Ali Al Salem, Camp Udairi and Camp Arifjan host significant US and coalition forces, including air defence systems, logistics hubs and staging areas for regional operations. Any successful attack that causes mass casualties or destroys major infrastructure would represent one of the deadliest single incidents for US forces in the Gulf in years.
The claims also raise the risk of further escalation. Washington has warned it will respond to attacks on its personnel. Tehran has signaled it is prepared to continue retaliatory strikes as long as US operations against Iran continue.
What to watch next
- Whether the US or Kuwait releases independent evidence of damage or casualties at Ali Al Salem or other Kuwaiti sites
- Any US military response, including strikes on Iranian launch sites or command nodes
- Reactions from Gulf states, especially Kuwait and Bahrain, which host US forces and are wary of being dragged into a broader war
- Potential impact on oil markets and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies
For now, the incident underscores how quickly tit-for-tat strikes between Washington and Tehran can spiral, with Kuwait and other Gulf states caught in the middle.
