Iran fires missiles at US base; US down drones
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- IRGC released video showing missile launches at a US air base in Kuwait, saying it was retaliation for an alleged US strike near Bandar Abbas Airport.
- US officials told the Associated Press they shot down four Iranian drones and hit a ground control station near Bandar Abbas that was preparing a fifth drone.
- Iranian naval forces fired at a US tanker attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US forces to fire back at an area around Bandar Abbas.
- Kuwait's military confirmed a missile and drone attack on its territory on Thursday, though it did not identify the intended targets.
- Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and the latest exchanges exacerbate already tight US energy supplies.
Why it matters: Oil exporters risk shipment delays and price spikes as the strait’s already tight traffic faces renewed threats, while US forces must divert resources to protect the corridor, raising operational costs.
