Iran launched missile and drone strikes against US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE, describing the operation as retaliation for American attacks on Iranian military positions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Iran's elite military force) claimed full responsibility, while Tehran said US use of bases in Gulf countries made those installations legitimate targets in its view. The overnight barrage included Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, one of the largest US military facilities in the region, as well as bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Local air defenses intercepted a substantial share of the projectiles, an improvement from earlier stages of the conflict, when attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian areas caused greater disruption before defense networks were upgraded and refined. US allies reported limited damage and injuries, and no significant American casualties were reported in the latest confrontations, although sporadic harm to civilians and military personnel has occurred during the broader campaign. The strikes followed US operations against Iranian sites, including reported bombings on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply passes on any given day. The exchange is part of a cycle of US-Iranian strikes and counter-strikes that has intensified since early 2026. Iran's stated aim is to increase the cost for Gulf states of hosting US forces and to signal that countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar could be treated as participants rather than bystanders. Diplomatic efforts, including negotiations over safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, have been limited and largely unproductive, with military operations repeatedly outpacing talks. Sustained disruption in the strait would have consequences for energy markets worldwide.