US downs Iranian drones amid escalating Gulf tensions
via Punch Nigeria11 min read
The United States announced it shot down two Iranian drones threatening the Strait of Hormuz, marking a further escalation in the conflict now in its 100th day. This action followed a US Central Command report of striking four other drones and coastal surveillance radar sites. In response, Iran launched missiles at US allies Bahrain and Kuwait, with Bahrain denouncing the attacks as "blatant aggression" and Kuwait calling them a "dangerous escalation." Iran's foreign ministry condemned the US strikes as "flagrant violations." Efforts to establish a lasting peace deal have stalled, with Iran insisting on the release of frozen assets. A US administration official indicated that these funds might be used to compensate Gulf allies for damages from Iranian attacks. The ongoing conflict has also drawn in Lebanon, with an Israeli strike killing three Lebanese soldiers and a diplomatic row emerging over US visa refusals for Iranian World Cup football team staff, which Iran's Football Federation described as "political interference in sport."
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