Finally: Key U.S. Allies Join In Fight Against Iran
Two key American allies reportedly carried out secret airstrikes inside Iran this month, marking a significant expansion of the regional campaign against Tehran’s military capabilities.
Bahrain and Kuwait deployed fighter aircraft to attack Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and other military targets, according to people familiar with the operation cited by The Wall Street Journal.
The United Arab Emirates reportedly supported the mission by providing intelligence and defensive air cover. Neither Bahrain nor Kuwait has publicly confirmed participating in the strikes.
The reported operation would represent the first known direct attacks by the two Gulf states against Iranian territory.
Officials reportedly concluded that retaliation was necessary after weeks of Iranian missile and drone attacks against their countries. Both nations host major American military facilities, including the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and bases supporting thousands of American troops in Kuwait.
Iran has increasingly targeted the two countries during the conflict, forcing their militaries to repeatedly activate air-defense systems.
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry recently accused Iran of striking a power-generation and water-desalination facility, calling the attack a dangerous escalation and violation of international law.
The UAE publicly condemned Iran’s attacks, expressed support for Bahrain and Kuwait, and called for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Behind the scenes, however, it reportedly helped the two countries strike back.
The development suggests that Tehran’s aggression may be pushing previously cautious Gulf governments toward direct military action.
Bahrain and Kuwait operate relatively small air forces equipped primarily with American and European aircraft. Their reported willingness to attack Iranian targets demonstrates the growing regional concern over Tehran’s missiles, drones and threats against commercial shipping.
The strikes reportedly occurred during a wider conflict that began February 28 and has placed American forces, Israel and Gulf allies under sustained pressure.
The United States carried out additional strikes against Iranian military targets Friday following attacks on American bases and regional partners. Those operations ended a run of 13 consecutive nights of U.S. strikes.
President Trump then declined to authorize another planned round of attacks, creating an opening for negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing the conflict from escalating further.
Iranian officials confirmed that no new American attacks occurred overnight.
“Fortunately, no attack was recorded last night, and therefore the casualty statistics for the July war, apart from the discharge of a few more injured individuals, did not see any significant change,” Iranian Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour wrote.
“It seems our dear Iran had a peaceful night last night, and no part of its body was struck or hit. Iran’s body is intact. Iranian head is healthy,” Kermanpour added on X.
U.S. Central Command, which had publicly announced operations following each of the previous nights of strikes, did not report another attack during the temporary pause.
The lull does not necessarily mean the American campaign has ended.
Trump recently said he was considering military action larger than anything conducted during the current phase of the conflict. He has since explained that he paused additional strikes to give diplomatic negotiations another opportunity, while warning that powerful military options remain available if Iran refuses to compromise.
The decision comes as Gulf governments face a difficult choice.
For months, many American partners attempted to remain outside the direct fighting, even as Iranian attacks threatened their territory, military facilities and critical infrastructure. Their governments feared that striking Iran could expose their cities and energy facilities to even greater retaliation.
Tehran’s continued aggression appears to have changed that calculation.
If the report is accurate, Bahrain and Kuwait have concluded that remaining on the sidelines offers no protection from a regime already willing to attack them.
The UAE’s reported support also indicates that regional cooperation against Iran may be broader than governments are willing to acknowledge publicly.
President Trump is now balancing renewed diplomacy with the threat of overwhelming force. The pause in U.S. strikes gives Tehran another opportunity to accept an agreement, but the entrance of Gulf allies into the conflict sends a clear warning.
Iran is no longer confronting only the United States and Israel. Its attacks are steadily uniting neighboring countries that increasingly view Tehran’s military operations as a direct threat to their own survival.