Bahrain claims to have intercepted Iranian missiles and drones

Bahrain's air defenses intercepted and destroyed three missiles and "several" drones this Wednesday (3), according to the country's Armed Forces, which condemned Iran's attacks on the region.

Tehran "continues its systematic hostile approach through its heinous missile and drone attacks against civilian targets in the Kingdom of Bahrain," the country's General Command of the Armed Forces said.

Adding that "all its weapons and units are at the highest levels of defensive readiness and preparation" and warned civilians not to touch or approach any "foreign or suspicious objects".

In addition to Bahrain, an Iranian drone and missile attack hit Kuwait's international airport this Wednesday, leaving people injured and forcing authorities to divert flights, according to Kuwait's state news agency.

The attack caused "severe damage" to the airport's Terminal 1, a report said, citing the General Civil Aviation Authority.

The United States Army had previously reported that two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait failed to hit their targets or fragmented along the way, and that three missiles fired at Bahrain were intercepted by American and Bahraini forces.

US Central Command added that Iran launched ballistic missiles toward neighboring countries in the region, but all failed to hit their targets.

Attacks in the region
Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has repeatedly attacked targets in the Gulf region, where American military bases are located.

Central Command said the US military also shot down Iranian drones targeting civilian ships in regional waters and US forces in Kuwait, as well as carrying out attacks on the island of Qeshm, near the Strait of Hormuz, following attempted attacks by Iran.

Iranian state media reported that the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), an elite unit, attacked the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, as well as an air base and helicopters in an unspecified country in the region.

Iran sent missiles and drones in response to what the IRGC described as an American attack on a communications tower south of Qeshm.

Last week, Iran and the United States said they had reached an initial tentative agreement to suspend the war, but have not yet formally signed the deal.

Iranian media reported that Tehran has not communicated with Washington for several days, but US President Donald Trump said negotiations had not been interrupted.

"Conversations between us have been ongoing, including four days, three days, two days, one day and today," he said in a social media post.

Discussions over nuclear program
Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly said he is close to a deal to end the fighting and allow negotiators to address thorny issues, including the future of Iran's nuclear program.

Trump has declared that his top priority is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran denies developing a nuclear bomb and claims its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.

Tehran seeks access to billions of dollars in oil revenues, exemptions on crude oil exports, an end to the American blockade of its ports and the maintenance of influence over the strait, crossed by a fifth of the world's pre-war oil and liquefied natural gas traffic.

Iranian media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy attacked a ship identified as Panaya with missiles in response to what it called an American attack on an Iranian oil tanker near Hormuz.

Iranian media said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy targeted a ship identified as Panaya with missiles in response to what it claimed was an American attack on an Iranian oil tanker near Hormuz.

"Disrupting the security of the Strait of Hormuz will come at a high price for the US military," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, according to media reports.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that the US would only agree to sanctions relief if Iran agreed to abandon its nuclear program.

"The war is over," Rubio declared during a heated exchange with Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who disagreed.

Source: CNN