Iran and US both say they launched retaliatory missile strikes at each other

The US military has disabled six vessels during the blockade. (US Centcom: Noah J. Tancer)

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it has struck the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain with missiles and drones.

US Central Command said it conducted self-defence strikes on Qeshm Island "in response to attempted attacks by Iran".

US forces also fired a Hellfire missile at a ship that was attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in violation of an American blockade, the US military said.

The United States and Iran have launched missile attacks on several targets in the region, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the US military.

The IRGC attacked the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain using missiles and drones, Iranian media reported, in response to what the IRGC described as a US attack on a communications tower south of Qeshm Island.

A satellite image shows the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Manama, Bahrain. (Reuters: Planet Labs PBC)

"Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbours; however, all failed to hit their intended targets," Centcom said in a statement.

The statement added all of the missiles shot at Bahrain and Kuwait either "broke apart en route" or were shot down by air defence systems.

Kuwaiti air defences were intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks on Tuesday local time, state news agency KUNA reported, quoting the country's army, which did not say where the threats originated.

KUNA cited the army's General Staff as saying any explosions heard were caused by interceptions and urged the public to follow safety instructions and avoid any debris or unidentified objects.

US President Donald Trump says he is not yet satisfied by negotiations to end the war in Iran, and the US is not discussing easing sanctions, which is one of Tehran's key demands.

The statements came shortly after Iran's media reported hearing sounds of explosions in the area of Qeshm Island.

Bahrain's interior ministry also said a warning siren had been sounded and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Gulf countries, including Kuwait, have come under missile and drone attack during the US-Israel war on Iran.

Hostilities have largely eased since a ceasefire came into effect in April, though the truce has been repeatedly tested by further missile and drone attacks, including against or near Gulf countries hosting US forces.

The US military fired a Hellfire missile at a tanker heading toward Iran, trying to evade the blockade being imposed by President Dona