As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise, Bahrain and Kuwait have once again come under missile and drone attacks. Air raid sirens sounded in both Gulf nations for a second straight day after Iran launched fresh strikes in response to recent US attacks on its territory.
Since the conflict in West Asia began, Gulf countries have repeatedly found themselves caught in the middle. While the United States has carried out direct strikes inside Iran, Tehran has largely responded by targeting American military facilities located in neighbouring Gulf states.
Why are Bahrain and Kuwait being targeted?
Following US airstrikes on the Iranian cities of Konarak, Chabahar, Bushehr and nearby areas, Iran claimed to have struck several US military installations in the Gulf.
According to Iranian reports, the targets included Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, along with Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Juffair and Sheikh Isa Air Base.
A report by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs explains that Bahrain and Kuwait host major US military assets. Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, while Kuwait hosts several American air bases. The United States also maintains a military presence at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
Iran views these bases as launch points for US military operations and considers them immediate security threats.
Why doesn’t Iran attack US directly?
Limited missile range
Although Iran possesses a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, their range is far shorter than the distance to the US mainland.
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According to the Missile Threat report, Iran’s Khorramshahr missile has a maximum range of around 2500 to 3000 kilometres, while the distance between Iran and the continental United States is roughly 7500 kilometres. As a result, Iran lacks the capability to directly strike US territory using its existing missile systems.
Risk of a wider war
Launching an attack on the United States itself could trigger a much larger military conflict.
As a NATO member and one of the world’s strongest military powers, any direct attack on US soil could invite a coordinated response from America and its allies, significantly increasing the pressure on Iran.
Pressure through regional allies
Analysts also believe Iran’s strategy is aimed at increasing pressure on Washington by targeting US military facilities located in allied Gulf nations.
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Although the intended targets are American bases, missile attacks create fear and disruption in the host countries, increasing diplomatic pressure on their governments to push for restraint from the United States.
Gulf states previously raised the issue at UN
When the conflict first escalated in February, Iran launched attacks targeting areas in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Following those incidents, Gulf nations raised the matter before the United Nations Security Council, where Iran’s attacks were condemned as violations of international law and described as a threat to global peace and security. Member states also called for measures to prevent further attacks.
Iran defends its strategy
Iran has previously defended its actions before the United Nations.
In a letter to the UN Security Council, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi argued that Iran only targets locations hosting enemy military forces. According to the letter, any military installation used by hostile forces is considered a legitimate target, regardless of the country in which it is located.
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Based on this position, Iran considers facilities such as Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait International Airport, and the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet at Port Salman in Bahrain to be part of America’s military infrastructure.
First published on: Jul 09, 2026 12:46 PM IST
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