Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks targeting what it described as United States military-linked positions in the Gulf region, including a reported drone strike on a hotel in Dubai.
The claims were contained in a statement published by Iran’s semi-official Tesnim News Agency as part of what it described as the 84th wave of its ongoing “True Promise-4” military operation.
According to the IRGC, a hotel in Dubai was struck by a kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle, alleging that the facility was being used to house US military personnel who had reportedly relocated from formal bases.
In the same statement, the IRGC also claimed that six US landing craft vessels, identified as LCU-type, stationed at Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait were targeted during the operation. It further alleged that three of the vessels were sunk, while the remaining three sustained heavy damage.
The Iranian military said the attacks involved the use of Qadir 380 missiles, which it claimed have a range of approximately 1,000 kilometres (621 miles), enabling strikes across multiple locations in the Gulf region.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no independent verification or official confirmation from authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, or the United States regarding the alleged attacks or the extent of damage claimed by Iran.
The absence of confirmation has left uncertainty surrounding the incident, particularly the reported strike on a hotel in Dubai, a major global commercial and tourism hub.
The claims come amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, following weeks of escalating hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The region has witnessed a series of retaliatory strikes, with Iran launching waves of drone and missile attacks in response to sustained air offensives on its territory.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier, on Thursday, alleged that US troops stationed in Gulf countries had vacated their military bases and were seeking shelter in civilian facilities, including hotels. He also issued a warning advising hotels not to accommodate American personnel, a statement that now appears to be linked to the IRGC’s latest claims.
Security analysts note that if confirmed, the targeting of civilian infrastructure such as hotels would mark a significant escalation in the conflict, raising concerns about the safety of civilians and foreign nationals in the region.
The Gulf region, home to key global energy infrastructure and major international transit hubs, has already been impacted by the ongoing conflict. Airspace disruptions, heightened security alerts, and fluctuations in global markets have been reported as tensions continue to rise.
Iran has maintained that its recent actions are in retaliation for coordinated airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel on its territory. Those strikes, according to reports, have resulted in significant casualties and damage within Iran, further fuelling the cycle of escalation.
In response, Iran has expanded the scope of its retaliatory operations beyond Israel, targeting locations in Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that host US military assets.
International observers warn that the increasing frequency and geographical spread of attacks could draw more countries into the conflict, raising the risk of a wider regional war with global implications.
Governments across the region have yet to issue comprehensive statements addressing the IRGC’s latest claims, but heightened security measures are expected as authorities assess potential threats and seek to reassure residents and visitors.
As the situation continues to evolve, calls for restraint and diplomatic engagement have intensified, with global leaders urging all parties to de-escalate tensions and avoid actions that could further destabilise the region.
For now, the reported attacks remain unverified, but they underscore the growing volatility in the Middle East and the urgent need for efforts aimed at restoring stability and preventing further escalation.
