NEW YORK (VINnews)  A tense and turbulent night unfolded in the Middle East as the United States and Iran exchanged blows despite the evolving diplomatic negotiations between the two countries.

After the U.S. military allegedly struck a communications tower belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Iran’s Qeshm Island, Tehran responded with barrages of missiles and drones directed at Kuwait and Bahrain. Air-defense systems were activated, and warning sirens sounded across the region. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), multiple threats were successfully intercepted. Iranian officials warned: “Any aggression will be met with a harsher response.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the missile and drone attacks against Kuwait, stating that the targets were American military bases in the country and that the strikes were retaliation for the earlier U.S. attack on Qeshm Island.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) responded by stating that American forces had successfully intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. According to the statement, the U.S. military carried out defensive strikes on Qeshm Island in response to Iranian attack attempts throughout the Middle East.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed that the United States had struck one of the organization’s communications towers in the southern part of Qeshm Island.The Revolutionary Guards further claimed: “They struck an air force base and the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet in one of the countries in the region.”

They added a warning: “Any aggression will be met with a different and more severe response, and that has indeed been carried out.”

The events come amid growing tensions between Washington and Tehran, as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to reach an agreement with Iran while facing domestic pressure to lower fuel prices.

At the same time, relations between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reportedly been strained by disagreements over policy toward Iran and Lebanon.

The Iranian attacks come at a sensitive moment, as the U.S. administration is attempting to advance a temporary agreement with Tehran. According to reports, Iran is reviewing a new draft proposal submitted by the United States but is maintaining a hard-line position in the negotiations.