The United States military says its forces intercepted and destroyed two Iranian ballistic missiles that were aimed at American troops stationed in Kuwait.
In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the missiles were detected and “immediately defeated” around 03:00 GMT, adding that no US personnel were injured in the incident.
The military did not immediately provide further details on the launch or the systems used to intercept the missiles.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent US strikes on Iranian targets, including facilities on the islands of Goruk and Qeshm.
Iranian officials have since warned they reserve the right to carry out retaliatory attacks on regional “bases and assets” linked to operations against them.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said Tehran maintains what he described as a legitimate right to respond to US military actions in the region.
Separately, Japan has called on Iran to show “maximum flexibility” in its negotiations with the United States, as diplomatic efforts continue to ease rising tensions.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made the appeal during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to Tokyo.
Speaking after the call, Takaichi said Iran should take advantage of the opportunity to reach an agreement with Washington, stressing the importance of stability in global energy and shipping routes.
She also urged Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, warning that continued disruption could affect maritime safety for Asia and other regions.
While the Japanese leader said both sides agreed to maintain close communication, she did not disclose Iran’s direct response to her requests
