Iran targets US bases in Jordan and the Gulf after Trump orders strikes near Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain on Wednesday in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian targe…
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain on Wednesday in
Read Full Story at France 24 →Why This Matters
The escalation signals a dangerous new phase in the shadow war between Iran and the U.S., where proxy conflicts are giving way to direct strikes on each other’s military infrastructure. It forces regional allies—particularly Gulf states—to confront the uncomfortable reality of being collateral targets in a geopolitical standoff they didn’t choose. The timing, coming amid U.S. election year tensions, also raises the specter of miscalculation, where localized actions could spiral into a broader confrontation.
Background Context
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have long used asymmetric tactics—missiles, drones, and proxy militias—to project power while avoiding direct conflict with the U.S., a strategy that kept tensions in a fragile equilibrium. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s aggressive strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, underscore a willingness to challenge Iran’s red lines despite the risks of escalation. The presence of U.S. bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain reflects decades of post-9/11 security arrangements that have increasingly drawn these countries into the crossfire.
What Happens Next
Washington will face pressure to respond in a way that deters further Iranian attacks without provoking a full-scale conflict, a calculation complicated by Iran’s dispersed proxy networks. Regional allies may now demand stricter assurances from the U.S., potentially reshaping alliances or even pushing some toward neutrality. The attacks also test whether Iran’s leadership can sustain this level of direct confrontation without overplaying its hand, particularly as domestic economic strains limit its options.
Bigger Picture
This incident fits a pattern of declining U.S. influence in the Middle East, where traditional deterrence is eroding as Iran, Russia, and China fill the void with asymmetric advantages. The strikes also highlight how America’s military footprint, once a stabilizing force, now serves as a lightning rod for regional tensions it can neither fully control nor easily extricate itself from. With oil markets and global shipping routes once again in the crosshairs, the episode underscores the fragility of a world order where great-power competition is increasingly waged through proxy battles.
