The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a defiant statement claiming it has “destroyed” a US naval base in Kuwait during a massive fifth wave of retaliatory strikes dubbed “Operation True Promise 4.”
The escalation comes in the wake of a devastating joint US-Israel military campaign that resulted in the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
IRGC “Announcement No. 4”: The Claims
According to the IRGC statement shared by the Iranian Embassy in India, Tehran has targeted critical US logistical and naval assets in the Gulf:
- Abdullah Mubarak Base (Kuwait): Iran claims to have hit the base with 4 ballistic missiles and 12 drones, alleging that the infrastructure is destroyed and “a large number” of US forces were killed.
- Jebel Ali Anchorage (UAE): An MSP ship carrying ammunition for American vessels was reportedly “completely disabled” by four drones.
- Support Vessels: An MST-class combat support ship carrying fuel was struck by Qadr 380 missiles.
- The “Gates of Hell”: The IRGC warned that their navy and air force would keep the “gates of hell open” to all enemy units in the Indian Ocean.
The US and Kuwaiti Response
As of 12:50 PM IST, there has been no independent confirmation of the scale of damage or casualties claimed by Iran.
- US Military: A spokesperson stated they are “looking into reports” but reiterated that previous waves of hundreds of Iranian missiles resulted in “minimal damage and no US casualties.”
- Kuwait Authorities: Reported that a drone hit the Kuwait International Airport, injuring several employees. They also confirmed that shrapnel at the Ali Al-Salem Air Base injured three troops.+1
Regional Impact: A State of Chaos
The death of 86-year-old Ali Khamenei has triggered a violent chain reaction across the Middle East:
- Israel: Remains under a total state of emergency as it repels continuous salvos from Iran and Hezbollah.
- Saudi Arabia: Successfully repelled Iranian attacks targeting Riyadh and its eastern oil-rich provinces.
- UAE: A drone strike reportedly killed one person in Abu Dhabi, while debris from interceptions has caused fires near the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
- Global Aviation: Airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain remains closed. Major carriers like Air India and IndiGo have suspended all operations to the Gulf.
Trump’s Call for Regime Change
In a historic address, US President Donald Trump confirmed the killing of the Supreme Leader, characterizing it as the “single greatest chance” for the Iranian people to reclaim their country. Meanwhile, the Iranian Cabinet has vowed that this “great crime” will meet an unprecedented response.
Market Alert: Crude Oil and Shipping
| Asset | Current Status | Prediction |
| Crude Oil | $98.40/barrel | Expected to cross $110 if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked. |
| Shipping | Strait of Hormuz “High Risk” | Potential total halt of energy exports from the Gulf. |
| Indian Markets | Closed (Sunday) | Analysts expect a 3-5% crash at Monday’s opening. |