Tensions in the Middle East escalated once again early Wednesday after Iran launched missiles towards US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. According to the US central command (CENTCOM), the missiles failed to hit their targets and were either intercepted or broke apart before impact. In response, the US military carried out strikes on an Iranian military facility.The night sky over the Gulf lit up as Iranian missiles and drones headed toward American positions. US air defence systems intercepted the incoming threats near Kuwait City, preventing them from reaching the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The American air defence used Patriot missiles to answer Iranian threat.The latest exchange comes amid a conflict that has intensified since the US launched a major military campaign against Iran earlier this year. Since then, both sides have exchanged attacks, pushing the region closer to a wider confrontation. Several attempts at talks and negotiations have been made, but no breakthrough has emerged to ease tensions.American military answered Iran’s action strongly by hitting Qeshm Island.According to US officials, Iran fired missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, but none reached their intended targets. Two missiles aimed at Kuwait broke apart mid-flight, while those targeting Bahrain were intercepted by US and Bahraini forces. The developments came after reports from Iran’s semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies claimed that Tehran had stopped communicating with mediators about extending a ceasefire in its conflict with the US and Israel. President Donald Trump disputed the reports, saying talks were continuing.The reports, published by Fars and Tasnim, both considered close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, emerged as tensions also rose on Israel’s northern front with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon.A regional official involved in the mediation efforts, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, said Iran had not communicated with mediators on Tuesday after insisting that a ceasefire in Lebanon must be enforced before negotiations could continue.In a separate development, the US military said it targeted another oil tanker attempting to reach an Iranian port in violation of the American blockade. According to CENTCOM, it was the seventh vessel intercepted while trying to bypass the restrictions.The Botswana-flagged merchant vessel M/T Lexie was stopped after its crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings for 24 hours. CENTCOM said an aircraft fired a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room, disabling the vessel.
