Iran's Revolutionary Guards Strike US Base in Retaliation; Kuwait Intercepts Missiles

On June 23, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had fired missiles and drones at what it described as a US airbase, in retaliation for an earlier American attack on an Iranian communications tower on Sirik Island in Hormozgan province.

The semi-official Fars News Agency quoted an IRGC statement saying: "Following the US military's attack on the communications tower on Sirik Island, IRGC Aerospace Force pilots struck the airbase from which the attack originated, and the intended targets were destroyed."

On the same day, Kuwait's KUNA news agency reported that the country's air defense systems had intercepted missiles and drones while sirens sounded across various areas. Kuwait hosts US military forces. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Iran's attacks on its territory, asserting that "the continuation and repetition of these acts of aggression undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions and threaten regional security and stability."

Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed it had conducted airstrikes against Iran on June 21–22 in response to what it called Tehran's "aggressive actions," including the shooting down of a US MQ-1 drone over international waters. CENTCOM said US fighter aircraft "quickly neutralized an Iranian air defense system, a ground control station, and two one-way attack drones" that threatened vessels transiting the area. The US side insisted no US soldiers were killed in these attacks.

Fragile ceasefire

The latest clashes come amid ongoing indirect negotiations between the US and Iran aimed at formalizing a fragile ceasefire in effect since April. The two sides are believed to be reviewing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that could extend the truce by 60 days and begin talks to end the war permanently.

According to US media, the MoU would stipulate that transit through the Strait of Hormuz must be "unrestricted," meaning no fees or "harassment," and Iran would have 30 days to remove all naval mines. The MoU is also reported to include Iran's commitment not to build nuclear weapons. During the 60-day period, the first issue to be discussed in peace talks would be Iran's uranium enrichment program and how to handle its stockpile of enriched uranium.

The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump had "tightened the terms" of the potential deal framework, while Axios said he demanded "a number of changes" to the preliminary agreement his envoys had reached with Iran. Iranian state media on June 22 reported that the proposed MoU with the US includes an agreement to release $12 billion in frozen assets. However, the White House previously denied similar reports, calling them "fabrications."

Warning from Tehran

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on June 23 suggested that delays in the diplomatic process to end the war could be explained by a lack of trust, Washington's contradictory stances, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. He stressed: "Negotiations began in an atmosphere of deep suspicion and mistrust. The other side constantly changes its positions and presents new or contradictory demands… this naturally prolongs the negotiations."

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that "dialogue and exchanges of messages are ongoing" with the US, but urged against hasty judgments because "everything being said now is speculation."

US President Donald Trump on the evening of June 22 declared on Truth Social that Tehran "really wants to reach a deal" and that any agreement reached would be "good for America and those who are with us." He criticized domestic critics but did not mention the US airstrikes on Iran, reassuring: "Sit back and relax, everything will work out in the end – as always!"