Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The strikes targeted U.S. military bases in those nations following a night of U.S. aerial bombardment within Iran. Bahrain reported its air defenses intercepted several threats, while Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the actions as self-defense in response to violations of Iranian sovereignty.
The escalation followed a U.S. strike on Tuesday that Iranian state media reported hit a wedding party in the coastal town of Kuhestak. According to state news agency IRNA, four people were killed—two women and two children—and 68 others were wounded. U.S. Central Command stated its operations targeted military assets, including air defense and radar systems, and maintained that the U.S. military does not target civilians.
Hostilities increased earlier in the week when the U.S. struck Iranian rocket launchers on an island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, August 30. U.S. officials stated the launchers were intended to deploy mines. Iran responded by firing missiles at U.S. bases in Jordan, all of which were intercepted. Additionally, a Saudi-flagged tanker was attacked in the Strait on Monday, August 31, resulting in the deaths of two Filipino sailors.
The conflict carries risks for the estimated 3,000 Filipino seafarers working in the Persian Gulf and residents of Gulf nations hosting U.S. military personnel, including Bahrain and Kuwait. In Iran, the national currency, the rial, fell to a record low of 2.20 million per U.S. dollar on Wednesday. This represents a decline in value since August 25, when one dollar sold for 2.02 million rials.
International diplomatic efforts are focused on the conflict. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Wednesday that the administration is pressuring nations still doing business with Iran to stop. Meanwhile, diplomats from Egypt and Qatar called for a return to negotiations. Regional discussions included talks held in Cairo between the leaders of China and Egypt, while Pakistan stated it remains engaged in mediation efforts.