US and Iran Exchange Missile Attacks Amidst Regional Tensions

The United States and Iran have launched missile attacks on several targets in the region, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the US military.

The IRGC attacked the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain using missiles and drones, Iranian media reported, in response to what the IRGC described as a US attack on a communications tower south of Qeshm Island.

US Central Command said it conducted self-defence strikes on Qeshm Island "in response to attempted attacks by Iran".

"Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbours; however, all failed to hit their intended targets," Centcom said in a statement.

The statement added all of the missiles shot at Bahrain and Kuwait either "broke apart en route" or were shot down by air defence systems.

Kuwaiti air defences were intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks on Tuesday local time, state news agency KUNA reported, quoting the country's army, which did not say where the threats originated.

KUNA cited the army's General Staff as saying any explosions heard were caused by interceptions and urged the public to follow safety instructions and avoid any debris or unidentified objects.

The statements came shortly after Iran's media reported hearing sounds of explosions in the area of Qeshm Island.

Bahrain's interior ministry also said a warning siren had been sounded and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Gulf countries, including Kuwait, have come under missile and drone attack during the US-Israel war on Iran.

Hostilities have largely eased since a ceasefire came into effect in April, though the truce has been repeatedly tested by further missile and drone attacks, including against or near Gulf countries hosting US forces.

Hellfire missile hits oil tanker

The US military fired a Hellfire missile at a tanker heading toward Iran, trying to evade the blockade being imposed by President Donald Trump.

The missile disabled the Botswana-flagged M/T Lexie after it impacted the engine room as it was attempting to sail toward the Iranian port in Kharg Island, the US military said.

"The ship's crew ignored repeated warnings, failing to comply with directions from U.S. forces multiple times over a 24-hour period," Central Command said in a statement.

The statement did not mention if the attack caused any casualties aboard the Lexie.

The US military's Central Command posted a video showing the missile strike on the tanker.

IRGC navy said it targeted a vessel it identified as Panaya with missiles in response to the US attack on an Iranian tanker, Iranian media reported.

"Disrupting the security of the Strait of Hormuz will carry a heavy price for the US military," local media cited the IRGC as saying.

In addition to the six ships the US military says it has disabled during the blockade, a further 122 vessels have been redirected since April 13.

On Friday last week, the US military similarly disabled a Gambia-flagged cargo vessel after it too failed to comply, CENTCOM said.

On May 8, US forces fired munitions down the smokestacks of two Iranian-flagged tankers to halt them, while a warplane disabled another Iranian-flagged ship on May 6 by firing its 20mm cannon at the vessel's rudder.

And on April 19, an Iranian-flagged vessel attempted to violate the blockade and ignored multiple warnings from a US destroyer, CENTCOM said at the time.

The American warship eventually directed the ship's crew to evacuate its engine room, which it then hit with multiple rounds from its five-inch gun.

Tehran's forces effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway, a key route for oil and gas shipments, after the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28.