Iran claims missile strikes on US targets in Kuwait, Jordan

Iran has claimed it carried out missile strikes on American military targets in Kuwait and Jordan, sharply escalating a conflict that has entered its second week. The claims, reported by Iranian state media, come as the United States continued airstrikes on Iranian territory for the seventh straight night.

There was no immediate confirmation from Washington or the governments in Kuwait and Jordan about the scale or location of the alleged strikes. Officials in the region have not yet commented on any damage or casualties.

Strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran

US airstrikes on Iran have reportedly hit civilian infrastructure, including bridges, an airport and a railway station, according to Iranian officials and state media. The Times of India reported that the strikes have targeted non-military sites, raising concerns about the humanitarian toll of the campaign.

The scope of the damage is still being assessed. Independent verification of the targets hit is difficult as Iran has restricted foreign media access to affected areas.

Chabahar port and India's position

The US airstrikes have damaged parts of Iran's Chabahar port, a strategic facility on the Gulf of Oman. However, India has said its own terminal at the port has not been affected. The Chabahar port is a key project for India, offering a trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan.

New Delhi has not issued a detailed statement on the broader conflict. Officials are closely watching developments, given the port's importance to Indian trade and connectivity ambitions.

Regional fallout

Iran's claims of striking US targets in Kuwait and Jordan, if confirmed, would mark a significant expansion of the battlefield. Until now, the fighting had been largely confined to strikes between Iran and the US, with no direct attacks on third countries hosting American forces.

Kuwait and Jordan are both home to US military personnel and bases. Any Iranian strike on their soil would force those governments to confront a direct threat to their sovereignty, potentially drawing them deeper into the conflict.

Al Jazeera has reported that Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan are under attack from Iran, though the specifics of those attacks remain unclear. The situation is fluid, and multiple reports are being cross-checked.

The US has not altered its military posture in the region. Airstrikes on Iran have continued without interruption, with the Pentagon describing them as a response to Iranian provocations. The Iranian government has vowed to retaliate against any further attacks on its territory.

The international community has called for restraint, but diplomatic efforts have so far failed to produce a ceasefire. The United Nations Security Council has not yet met to discuss the crisis.

What happens next depends on whether the US and Iran are willing to step back from the brink. The coming hours will be critical in determining if this conflict spirals further or if both sides find a way to de-escalate.