Iran urges civilians to avoid U.S. bases as missile strikes expand in Gulf region

Iran’s official state broadcaster urged civilians to keep clear of American military bases on Saturday, amid a broader wave of missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and other sites in the Gulf region. The broadcaster said the attacks were a response to what it described as U.S. aggression and threats from terrorist groups, and called on regional allies to “shut down U.S. military bases on your territory.”

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced that Tehran had suspended its commitments to the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, stating that the country was “busy defending the country.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) framed the strikes as retaliation for American actions.

U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces in the region remain fully operational but declined to comment on damage assessments. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reiterated that U.S. strikes have been limited to military targets, contrasting them with Iran’s attacks on civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and infrastructure in neighboring states.

Jordan’s armed forces reported intercepting missiles and drones that entered its airspace, while Kuwaiti authorities confirmed damage to power and desalination facilities and said emergency services were working to restore services. Iranian officials warned that continued U.S. strikes could lead to a “full-scale offensive” and hinted at further escalation against regional partners.

Analysts noted that Iran’s campaign has expanded beyond military sites to include civilian infrastructure in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, raising concerns about broader regional security impacts.