Washington DC, May 28: The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday confirmed that a ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Kuwait was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti air defence forces, amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran during an already fragile ceasefire.
In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM described the launch as an “egregious ceasefire violation,” noting that it followed a series of aerial threats initiated by the Islamic Republic.“At 10:17 p.m. ET on May 27, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait that was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces. This egregious ceasefire violation by the Iranian regime occurred hours after Iranian forces launched five one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat in and near the Strait of Hormuz,” the post read.
According to a US official quoted by CBS News, the Iranian missile launch was preceded by American strikes on Iranian assets actions described as “defensive” and aimed at preserving the delicate truce between the two rivals. US forces reportedly shot down four Iranian drones and destroyed a ground control station in the port city of Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch a fifth.
Despite the exchange, US officials maintained that the ceasefire remains technically intact.Following the US strikes, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early-morning retaliatory action against what it described as an American base involved in “pre-dawn aggression.”
“Following the pre-dawn aggression today by the invading American army against a point on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport using aerial projectiles, the American airbase, as the origin of the aggression, was targeted at 4:50 a.m.,” the IRGC said in its statement, without naming the base or disclosing further details.
Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Army confirmed that its air defence systems were actively engaging multiple “hostile” missile and drone threats, reassuring the public after explosions were heard in parts of the country.“Kuwaiti air defences are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks,” the military said on X, urging residents to remain calm and follow official instructions.
CENTCOM later affirmed that all drones targeting regional assets were intercepted by US forces, which also halted a sixth drone launch from another Iranian control site in Bandar Abbas.“All drones were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces, which also prevented a sixth drone launch from an Iranian ground control site in Bandar Abbas,” CENTCOM said.
The US Central Command added that it continues to coordinate closely with regional partners and remains “vigilant and measured” in protecting personnel and strategic interests amid what it described as “unjustified Iranian aggression.”