“Wall Street Journal reports Gulf states carried out first known offensive strikes inside Iran, signalling a shift from defensive operations to direct military engagement.”
WASHINGTON: Bahrain and Kuwait have reportedly launched direct airstrikes against targets inside Iran for the first time since the outbreak of the regional conflict, marking a significant escalation and broadening of military involvement by Gulf states.
According to a report published by The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, the two Gulf nations deployed fighter aircraft earlier this month to strike military targets inside Iran, representing their first known direct offensive operations against Iranian territory.
The reported strikes targeted Iranian drone and missile storage facilities, along with other military installations, and reflected a notable shift in Gulf states’ security posture from intercepting Iranian attacks to conducting offensive military operations. The report said the United Arab Emirates provided intelligence support and defensive air cover during the operation.
The development is regarded as one of the most consequential expansions of the conflict to date, highlighting growing regional coordination among Gulf states amid escalating hostilities with Iran. The report said Bahrain and Kuwait decided to respond after enduring repeated Iranian attacks linked to the wider conflict.
However, Kuwait has publicly rejected the report.
Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States described the allegations as “entirely false,” stating that Kuwait neither participated in military operations against Iran nor permitted its territory, airspace, or territorial waters to be used for offensive action. The ambassador reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to international law, respect for state sovereignty, and resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Bahrain has not publicly commented on the reported operation.
If confirmed, the reported strikes would represent a major shift in the regional security landscape, signalling that Gulf states traditionally focused on defensive measures are becoming more directly involved in military operations as tensions across the Middle East continue to intensify.
