Iran claims drone strike on US base; Iraq denies role in US-Saudi attacks

Iran’s military claimed on Friday that it carried out a drone strike targeting strategic US facilities at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, further escalating tensions in the Gulf. 

According to an official statement, explosive drones targeted aircraft hangars, satellite communication systems and equipment warehouses at the base, which Tehran described as a key hub for US aerial surveillance and logistical operations. 

As of publication, neither Kuwaiti nor US authorities had confirmed the reported attack or commented on the claimed damage.

The announcement came amid growing regional instability following coordinated US-Saudi military strikes on targets in Iraq earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Iraq strongly rejected allegations that it facilitated the joint US-Saudi operation, insisting it neither authorised nor had prior knowledge of the attacks. 

Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi said Baghdad condemned the strikes as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and reiterated that Iraqi territory would never be used as a launchpad for attacks against neighbouring countries.

Aboudi said investigative committees formed by the Iraqi government had found no evidence supporting claims that Iraqi territory was used to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia. He also called on Riyadh to provide any intelligence it possesses so the information could be independently verified. 

According to Iraqi officials, the recent strikes targeted seven provinces, killing more than 18 members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces and injuring at least 20 others.