Iran launches missiles at US bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait as regional conflict escalates
IRGC-linked outlets confirm strikes on US installations as Washington conducts retaliatory hits on over 80 Iranian targets
The Middle East conflict that has been building since a ceasefire collapsed in June 2026 took a significant turn this week. Iran launched missiles targeting US-linked military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, according to IRGC-linked media outlets, marking one of the most direct state-sponsored escalations against American installations in the region in recent memory.
What happened and what the US did about it
The attacks involved both ballistic missiles and drones, according to reports tied to Iranian state-linked sources. Three countries hosting US military infrastructure, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, were named as targets in the strikes.
Washington’s response was not subtle. The US conducted retaliatory strikes against more than 80 IRGC installations, hitting missile sites and air defense systems across Iran.
Prediction markets are pricing in an increased likelihood of further Iranian military actions against Gulf states as the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation.
The crypto angle Washington has been watching for years
Iran’s digital asset ecosystem was valued at over $7.8 billion in 2025, and approximately half of all transactions within that ecosystem are connected to IRGC-related activities, according to the research findings.
IRGC-linked wallets recorded inflows exceeding $3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone. A significant portion of those transactions have been linked to sanctions evasion and ransomware operations.
The US Treasury has already moved against specific platforms facilitating this activity. Nobitex, one of Iran’s largest crypto exchanges, was sanctioned for its role in enabling IRGC-linked digital transactions.
What this means for crypto markets and investors
The $3 billion in IRGC-affiliated wallet inflows from Q4 2025 is the kind of data point that congressional committees cite when pushing for broader crypto regulation. The timing, with an active military conflict now drawing public attention to Iran’s financial networks, creates exactly the political environment where sweeping new rules can move quickly through Washington.