Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched a large-scale missile
and drone strike on a US base in Kuwait this morning in retaliation for an
attack on Abbas Port and that such operations will continue as a new routine;
Iranian state media also reported Iran’s air defenses shot down a US drone near
Bushehr. The US military said it intercepted five Iranian drones and struck
Iranian military sites; US Treasury Secretary Bessent said Washington will
maintain maximum pressure on Iran and has warned firms and states not to pay any
proposed passage fees. Washington has added Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority
to its sanctions list and placed the UN special rapporteur for the West Bank and
Gaza under sanctions. Iran warned it controls and manages the Strait of Hormuz,
said it will decisively respond to any interference, and reported warning shots
at four vessels near the strait; Gulf states condemned the Kuwait attack, with
the UAE explicitly blaming Iran. Israel ordered the military to occupy 70% of
Gaza and carried out strikes in Beirut reportedly aimed at Iranian militia
commanders; the IDF detained five militants in Judea and Samaria. On
negotiations, Iran says frozen assets must be released unconditionally; US and
Iranian officials reportedly agreed on a memorandum of understanding that still
requires final approval, while Tehran’s leadership has not formally endorsed any
deal and Iran’s deputy foreign minister said it will not sign agreements
contrary to national interests.
