Egypt condemns Iranian attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain as ‘unacceptable escalation’

CAIRO – 28 June 2026: Egypt condemned Iran’s latest missile and drone attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait as an “unacceptable escalation” that undermine regional de-escalation efforts.

Bahrain and Kuwait, two Gulf countries which host major American military facilities, announced intercepting hostile projectiles overnight, shortly after the United States hit several Iranian targets in response to an attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement by the foreign ministry, Egypt condemned the attacks on the two Arab countries as a “blatant violation” of their sovereignty and a threat to their security and stability.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it targeted Iranian surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defense sites, drone storage facilities and naval mine-laying capabilities.

It accused Tehran of violating the ceasefire by attacking the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku as it transited the strategic waterway carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil.

The attacks come a day after US forces struck Iran in retaliation for an earlier Iranian attack on the merchant vessel M/V Ever Lovely, adding that Tehran was “given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to” after today’s strike.

The confrontation later expanded when Bahrain and Kuwait announced intercepting hostile projectiles.

The Bahraini defense force accused Iran of “continuing its systematic hostile approach through heinous attacks with missiles and drones that target civilians” in the country.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti army said it intercepted two ballistic missiles.

No immediate damage was reported in either Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, or Kuwait, home to a major US Army base.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted several locations belonging to the US military in the region, but did not specify the sites.

The latest exchange marked another escalation in a cycle of retaliation that has intensified in recent days despite the recent interim agreement signed by leaders of the US and Iran.

The memorandum of understanding provides for the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations" on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and outlines a framework for addressing Iran's nuclear program, reopening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting sanctions on Tehran.

Egypt expressed solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain, affirmed full support to measures they take to preserve their security and urged full compliance with existing negotiation track.

The foreign ministry called for supporting serious efforts to reduce regional tensions and resorting to dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes to boost security and stability.

The fresh round of hostilities tested a fragile ceasefire between the two countries.

Commenting on the US operation, Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire in a Truth Social post, saying “it is very possible that they will never learn!”

He warned that “there may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started.”

“If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!” Trump added.

 

US Vice President JD Vance, who has led negotiations with Iran, urged Tehran on Friday to resolve disagreements over the ceasefire through dialogue, saying Iran should "pick up the phone."

He warned that "violence will be met with violence."