Iran Launches Fresh Wave of Attacks on Gulf States Hosting US Bases; Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan Targeted Early Friday

Early on Friday, July 17, Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on several countries that host US military bases and facilities in the region, in response to a sixth consecutive night of US airstrikes. According to reports, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan came under fire during the overnight barrage.

Qatar's Defence Ministry said it had fended off a second air attack of the day on Friday morning, adding that a child was wounded by shrapnel during interception operations. The IRGC claimed it had struck a US military base in Kuwait, hitting a defence radar, several weapons depots and two HIMARS missile launchers. Jordan's army said it had intercepted and destroyed three missiles fired toward the country, with no casualties.

The attacks came as the US bombed southern Iran for a sixth straight night, including routes and infrastructure around Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province, leaving at least seven people dead according to state media. The Strait of Hormuz remains the flashpoint of the crisis; Brent crude hovered near 85 dollars a barrel and gold traded below 4,000 dollars. Rising tension in the Persian Gulf keeps the geopolitical risk premium in oil and gold elevated and adds pressure on Iran's currency market.