Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran

Tehran, Jul 16: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it targeted a gathering of US military personnel at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait early Thursday, according to Iranian state media.

Iranian authorities also claimed that the IRGC carried out a combined missile and drone attack targeting early-warning radar systems at the air base.

The reported strikes come amid escalating hostilities between Iran and the United States, with tensions spreading across the Gulf region.

During the same night, Bahrain and Jordan activated missile warning sirens. Jordanian media reported that eight Iranian missiles were intercepted.

Iranian state media further claimed that US military communication systems and fuel storage facilities at the Azraq military base in Jordan were also targeted. However, there was no immediate independent confirmation of the claims.

The developments came as shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz declined following the US decision to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

According to shipping data from Kpler, only seven vessels crossed the strategic waterway on Wednesday, compared to 13 the previous day. Most of the vessels reportedly used the Iranian side of the route.

The reduction in maritime traffic follows Iran's announcement late Saturday that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz amid rising military tensions.

The waterway is one of the world's most critical shipping routes, carrying around one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments before the conflict escalated.

Military operations and security concerns have disrupted commercial shipping activity, raising fears of further pressure on global energy markets if tensions continue.