Iran hits U.S. bases in Kuwait in new retaliatory wave of drone strikes

China

Iran hits U.S. bases in Kuwait in new retaliatory wave of drone strikes

2026-07-19 17:05 Last Updated At：20:57

Iranian military forces launched the 17th phase of their "Saeqeh" drone operation early Sunday, targeting U.S. bases in Kuwait with a series of strikes on an ammunition depot at Camp Adairi, as well as Patriot radar systems, and equipment and personnel warehouses at Ali Al Salem Air Base, according to Iranian statements.

Iran's army public relations office said the strikes were a direct response to the "U.S. crimes in civilian areas and violations of international agreements". The Iranian military emphasized that its actions are intended to defend the nation's history and identity, vowing to remain steadfast on the front line of resistance against oppression and to stand firm against its enemies.

At around 09:20 local time, air raid sirens sounded in Kuwait, while Kuwaiti armed forces reported that air defense systems had engaged "hostile targets" entering the country's airspace.

The U.S. Central Command announced on Saturday that it had conducted a new round of airstrikes on Iran at 23:30 EST on Saturday, marking the eighth consecutive night of U.S. bombardment of the country.

Iranian media reported multiple explosions on Qeshm Island in southern Iran around 03:00 Sunday, and so far, no civilian casualties or infrastructure damage have been confirmed. Earlier, local officials in Hormozgan Province said a U.S. missile struck near Sirik in the early hours of the morning. According to reports, Sirik has been targeted several times in recent days, causing some damage to the city.

In response to ongoing U.S. attacks, Iranian forces have continued to hit U.S. bases in several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

On Saturday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released footage of recent attacks on U.S. military bases, showing that during the 17th to 20th waves of Operation "Nasr 2," multiple U.S. targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan were hit using missiles including the Kheibar Shekan, Zolfaghar, Fateh-110, and Haj Qasem, as well as Shahed-series drones.

On the same day, the U.S. Central Command confirmed in a social media post that two U.S. soldiers were killed in Jordan on Friday by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. The statement said another soldier was missing from the attack, and four others were taken to hospitals in Jordan for treatment and had since been released. Other lightly wounded personnel had returned to duty. This marks the first time the U.S. has officially reported military casualties since the outbreak of the recent clashes between U.S. and Iranian forces.

World AI Conference highlights growing demand for global AI partnership

Business leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs from around the world gathered at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), where discussions are focusing on turning AI innovation into cross-border partnerships and real-world applications.

The 2026 WAIC is running in Shanghai from Friday to Monday under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future."

Across the exhibition halls, conversations often extended beyond product demonstrations, with visitors exploring potential partnerships, supply chains and overseas expansion.

Among them was Paolo Brizzi, chief information officer of Italy's Competence Center for Industry and Manufacturing (CIM), who met with a Chinese AI company to discuss cooperation ranging from industrial applications to entering the European market.

"My point is not to be a customer or a provider of technologies, but to identify parts [where we can] actually collaborate and work together," he said.

The four-day conference has also created opportunities for startups to connect with investors, researchers and potential customers. One startup launched an online networking group on the opening day, attracting hundreds of participants who exchanged ideas, explored business opportunities and sought technical solutions.

Participants said AI innovation depends not only on technological breakthroughs but also on cooperation across industries and countries.

"Collaboration is important because alone you cannot do so much. It needs to be a team support ecosystem," said Florian Wohlrab, CEO of Canada-based OpenHW Foundation.

For many international visitors, the conference is also an opportunity to explore how AI can help address practical challenges. Omar Khan, a participant from Pakistan, said international cooperation is essential to ensuring AI benefits everyone.

"I think, for me, we are all the one. We're human and I think we can cooperate a lot," he said.

Some attendees were looking for solutions to challenges in their home countries. A visitor from Kenya said AI applications such as weather forecast and soil analysis could help improve agricultural productivity across many parts of Africa, where farming remains a cornerstone of the economy.

As countries race to advance AI technologies, participants at this year's WAIC said the conference has become a platform for connecting ideas, technology and demand across borders, helping turn AI innovation into practical international cooperation.