Bahrain, Kuwait struck Iran following missile and drone attacks in sign of widening war: report

Bahrain and Kuwait quietly sent fighter jets to strike military targets inside Iran earlier this month, the first known direct attacks by the two Gulf nations against Tehran.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reported Friday that the strikes hit drone and missile storage facilities in addition to other sites.

Handout footage released by CENTCOM shows a precision strike by US forces against Iranian military capabilities on July 24. US Central Command (CENTCOM)/AFP via Getty Images

An infographic that showcases US strikes on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on US. Anadolu via Getty Images

The covert operation came after weeks of retaliatory Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, both of which host US military bases. The Journal reported that officials concluded they could no longer allow Tehran to continue attacks without a military response.

The United Arab Emirates also reportedly played a role in the strikes by providing intelligence on potential targets and defensive air cover, a sign of increasing security operation against Iran by Gulf Arab states.

Despite the reported military assistance, the UAE publicly supported lowering tensions in the region in a statement cited by the WSJ.

Spokespeople for the Bahrain and Kuwait governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.