Iran launches missiles against Gulf countries; US says it intercepted attack

The United States stated that it intercepted ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran towards Kuwait and Bahrain between Friday night (5) and Saturday morning (6) local time.

The interception was released by the US Central Command, responsible for US armed forces operations in the Middle East. Before the American note, Iran's Revolutionary Guard had announced firing missiles at United States military bases in both countries.

Both Kuwait and Bahrain activated interception systems and air raid warning sirens on Saturday night.

The note from the US Central Command reports that seven ballistic missiles were launched by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain. Six missiles would have been intercepted and a seventh would not have reached the "intended target", according to the Americans.

Iran has said it has struck bases in both countries, which the United States denies. "There are no reports of damage to U.S. military personnel at this time, and Iranian claims of damage to the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false," Central Command said.

The Fifth Fleet is the branch of the United States Navy in the Central Command area.

Chronology
According to a statement released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, four oil transport ships "instigated" by the United States attempted to leave the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz without prior coordination with Iranian maritime military authorities.

One of the tankers was "shot and detained", while three other vessels were said to have "turned around".

Afterwards, American drones reportedly hit an Iranian military communications post on the island of Qeshm and a port in Sirik, two points close to the Strait of Hormuz.

The note from the United States Central Command cites attacks by American forces on "Iranian coastal surveillance radars" in Qeshm and on the Iranian coast facing the Persian Gulf, which would have occurred "as a measure of defense against further maritime attacks".

* With information from CNN; published by Henrique Sales Barros

Source: CNN