Clashes in the Gulf region have escalated, with diplomacy showing little progress, as Bahrain and Kuwait report attacks by Iran, while the US military announces “self-defence” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island.

According to Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA, the country’s international airport was hit by drones and missiles on Wednesday morning, causing injuries, severe damage to a number of airport facilities and flight suspensions and diversions.

The attack on the airport’s T1 building forced flight diversions to alternative locations, the report said, citing the General Civil Aviation Authority.

On Tuesday, the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it “successfully defeated” a series of Iranian missile and drone attacks in the Gulf.

It denied claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it struck the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and an airbase in the region.

“Iran launched several ballistic missiles towards regional neighbours; however, all failed to hit their intended targets,” CENTCOM said in a statement on Tuesday, before Kuwait reported the attack on Wednesday.

“Two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or broke apart en route, and three missiles launched at Bahrain were immediately intercepted by US and Bahrain air defence forces.”

Later, CENTCOM said an “additional wave of Iranian drones attempting to attack US forces in Kuwait failed to impact intended targets”, with several drones shot down.

The US military also shot down three attack drones that had been launched by Iran “towards civilian mariners that were rightfully transiting regional waters”, CENTCOM said.

CENTCOM said its strikes in response targeted an “Iranian military ground control station” on Qeshm Island, adding that no US personnel were injured.