Iran claims drone strike on US base in Kuwait

Iran on Friday claimed it had carried out a drone strike on the Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait, a facility used by the United States military, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continued to escalate.

According to the Iranian military, the drones targeted aircraft shelters, satellite communication systems and equipment storage facilities at the base. Tehran said the strike was in retaliation for recent US attacks on Iranian territory, including an alleged strike on a residential home on Qeshm Island.

There was no immediate confirmation or response from the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the reported Qeshm Island strike, which allegedly killed a taxi driver, his wife and their two-year-old child, saying such attacks would only strengthen Iran’s resolve.

Meanwhile, Iran said talks with Omani officials over the Strait of Hormuz were continuing, while Pakistan confirmed negotiations aimed at reducing regional tensions were also ongoing.

A US State Department spokesperson said Washington remained committed to its “maximum pressure” policy against Iran, while the US Senate voted down a resolution seeking to halt American military operations.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon is reviewing the scale of its military deployment in Kuwait following repeated Iranian attacks on US facilities.

Iran also denied reports linking it to attacks on vessels at Egypt’s Damietta port, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi describing Egypt as an important partner whose security remains a priority.

Oil prices eased as shipping through key maritime routes gradually resumed, although both Brent crude and WTI remained on course for monthly gains.

Iran also claimed its recent operations had enhanced the effectiveness of its drone and missile capabilities, while senior military officials warned the US against further escalation. Separately, Iraq denied approving recent US-Saudi strikes on its territory, and Iran said it had earlier targeted US military bases in Jordan and Bahrain, though CENTCOM maintained all incoming missiles and drones had been intercepted.

2. Delhi High Court seeks police response on Umar Khalid’s bail plea

New Delhi, July 31: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of Delhi Police on a fresh bail plea filed by activist Umar Khalid in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked to the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots.

A bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Vikas Mahajan issued notice to the police and directed it to file its reply within two weeks.

Khalid’s counsel informed the court that this was his third regular bail application since his arrest and that he had also sought interim bail.

The matter has been listed for hearing on August 27, along with the bail plea of co-accused Sharjeel Imam.

Khalid has challenged a trial court order dated July 4 rejecting his bail application. Delhi Police argued that Imam’s bail plea had also been dismissed through the same order and both matters could therefore be heard together.

Khalid was arrested in September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on allegations of being one of the key conspirators behind the communal violence in northeast Delhi that claimed 53 lives and left more than 700 people injured.

Several others, including Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi and former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, have also been booked in the case being investigated by the Delhi Police Special Cell.

The trial court had earlier observed that it was bound by the Supreme Court’s January 5 ruling while rejecting Khalid’s bail plea. In 2025, the Delhi High Court also denied him bail, and the Supreme Court later upheld that decision while granting relief to some co-accused, holding that there was a prima facie case against Khalid and Imam under the UAPA.