Illustrative image. (Photo courtesy of 412th Test Wing Public Affairs, US Air Force)
Bahrain and Kuwait quietly deployed fighter jets to strike targets inside Iran earlier this month, marking their first known direct military response against the Islamic Republic, The Wall Street Journal reported on July 24, citing people familiar with the matter.
The strikes targeted facilities used to store drones and missiles, along with other military installations, according to the report.
The United Arab Emirates, which had previously launched several attacks on Iran in the early stages of the conflict, reportedly contributed intelligence on potential targets and provided defensive air support, the Journal said, noting that the action reflects growing coordination among Arab states against the Islamic Republic.
For several weeks, Iran has concentrated its retaliatory attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, both of which host U.S. military bases.
Although the two Gulf nations maintain relatively small air forces equipped with American and European-made fighter jets, they were unwilling to absorb continued Iranian strikes without responding, the Journal noted.
The report is likely to trigger further Iranian escalation against those states, as well as against the UAE, which Tehran has so far refrained from targeting during the ongoing confrontation with the U.S.
The growing involvement of Arab states underscores the risk of a broader regional conflict that could spark sectarian tensions.
What began as a limited confrontation is slowly expanding. The U.S. resumed bomber raids against Iran earlier this week, and recent reports indicate Israel could soon rejoin the fighting. Many Arab states could also openly enter the war against Iran.
A broader conflict would be of particular concern to Bahrain and Kuwait, where Shia Muslims constitute a large portion of the population.
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