Iran Drone tensions escalated sharply on Friday after the Iranian army claimed it had launched explosive drones at strategic US military facilities inside Kuwait, while Iraq rejected accusations that it had assisted recent US-Saudi military operations. The developments highlighted the growing risk of a wider regional conflict involving multiple countries across the Middle East.

According to the Iranian army, explosive drones struck fighter aircraft hangars, satellite communication systems, and equipment warehouses at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base in Kuwait. Tehran described the installation as a critical hub for US surveillance, air operations, and military logistics. Neither Kuwaiti nor US officials immediately commented on the claim.

More than 100 words into the unfolding crisis, the Iran Drone conflict continued to dominate regional security concerns as Tehran also confirmed that it had received the bodies of five members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who were reportedly killed during recent US-Saudi strikes on command centres belonging to Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF). The bodies entered Iran through the Mehran border crossing, while Iran’s ambassador to Iraq said Iraqi tribal groups had declared their readiness to defend Iran if required.

Baghdad firmly denied allegations that it had allowed its territory to support the recent US-Saudi military operation. Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said Iraq neither approved nor had prior knowledge of the strikes and would never allow its territory to become a launchpad for attacks against neighbouring countries.

The Iraqi government said the Ministerial Council for National Security condemned the military operation as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. Officials insisted that diplomacy remains the only viable path to preventing further escalation across the region.

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Aboudi said coordinated strikes targeted seven Iraqi provinces, killing more than 18 PMF members and injuring at least 20 others. He added that Baghdad had requested Saudi Arabia to provide evidence supporting its claims that Iraqi territory had been used to launch attacks, but Iraqi investigative committees had found no proof.

The Iraqi government also announced that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi had postponed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia following the attacks. Officials reiterated that Iraq remains committed to maintaining balanced relations with regional and international partners while avoiding involvement in broader military confrontations.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi intensified diplomatic pressure by urging Bulgaria to reconsider its decision to host US military aircraft at Bezmer Air Base. During discussions with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, Araghchi argued that allowing US aircraft to support military operations against Iran amounted to facilitating aggression.

Iran also expressed concern over military facilities in Cyprus. During talks with Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Araghchi stressed that foreign military bases on the island should not be used for operations targeting Iran. Tehran has repeatedly warned countries hosting US military assets that they could face consequences if their territory is used in future operations.

Bulgaria recently approved the temporary deployment of up to eight US KC-135 refuelling aircraft and around 250 personnel at Bezmer Air Base. Bulgarian authorities maintained that no offensive weapons would be stationed there and insisted the deployment does not make the country a participant in military operations.

In another significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces destroyed a major Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials said approximately 700 tonnes of explosives were used to demolish tunnels near the Beaufort area, which they described as part of Hezbollah’s infiltration strategy targeting northern Israel.

Lebanese media reported multiple explosions in Hadatha, Deir Mimas, Arnoun, and Yahmar during the operation. Israel said the action responded to Hezbollah’s alleged violations of the ceasefire framework signed in June.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli troops continue operating in parts of southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli military operations since March have killed 4,333 people and injured more than 12,200 others, underlining the continuing humanitarian impact of the conflict.

As military operations, diplomatic disputes, and regional alliances continue to evolve, the Middle East remains on edge amid growing fears that isolated confrontations could trigger a broader international crisis.