Tensions in the Middle East have soared after Iran launched a series of aggressive strikes against U.S. assets across the Gulf Arab countries. This escalation is seen as a retaliatory response to a large-scale joint attack on Iran carried out by the U.S. and Israel. Many fear that these events could lead to a broader regional conflict, reports Al Jazeera.
On Saturday, the Iranian government officially confirmed that it had targeted multiple locations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, in the UAE, airbases hosting U.S. forces were hit. According to the Fars news agency, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for striking all Israeli and U.S. military sites in the Middle East “by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles.”
The IRGC issued a warning, stating, “This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated,” and clarified that all U.S. assets in the region are now considered legitimate targets for Iran’s military efforts.
Hamid Ghanbari, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, told Al Jazeera that Iran believes it has the right to defend itself and expressed regret over any civilian casualties caused by the ongoing military actions.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, affirming that Iran will “continue to exercise its right of self-defense decisively and without hesitation until the aggression ceases fully and unequivocally.”
Reports indicate that at least one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, after Iran launched several missile strikes that were reportedly intercepted. The country’s official news agency provided no additional details.
Bahrain also reported that a missile attack targeted the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in Manama.
Kuwait’s Defense Ministry confirmed that Ali al-Salem Air Base came under ballistic missile attack, but all incoming projectiles were intercepted by Kuwait’s air defenses. The attack reportedly caused minor injuries to personnel and some damage to facilities.
Saudi Arabia announced that Iran had targeted Riyadh and the eastern region of the kingdom, but the Saudi Foreign Ministry confirmed that all attacks were successfully repelled.
An Al Jazeera correspondent reported that Erbil Airport in Iraq’s Kurdish region was targeted twice on Saturday. A drone attack aimed at Erbil International Airport was intercepted and shot down by air defenses, and another drone in the area was also neutralized.
Additionally, a strike targeted a headquarters of the armed group Kataeb Hezbollah southwest of Baghdad, killing two people, according to the Associated Press. A Kataib Hezbollah official confirmed that a new attack had taken place. The group warned that “we will soon begin attacking American bases in response to their aggression.”
In Qatar, the Defense Ministry stated that it had thwarted attempted attacks, intercepting all missiles before they could reach the country.
The country’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that it reserves the right to respond lawfully and proportionally to these attacks, defending its sovereignty and security.
According to the Ministry, “the State of Qatar has been and continues to be among the foremost advocates of dialogue with the Islamic Republic of Iran, consistently calling for this approach as the optimal foundation for addressing differences and resolving disputes through peaceful means, and for sparing the region the risks of escalation.”
As a consequence of these hostilities, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE temporarily shut down their airspace. Shipping in the Gulf region also reported receiving notices about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil export route for the area’s major oil producers.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that “48 [Iranian] leaders are gone in one shot,” claiming that the operation in Iran is “moving along rapidly.”
He confirmed that three U.S. service members had been killed in action during the operation.
Across the border in Israel, the situation remains tense. Nine people were reported dead after a missile strike hit the city of Beit Shemesh, with many residents and visitors on high alert with sirens announcing threats of incoming missiles.
BBC News cites that there are ongoing Israeli military actions inside Tehran, with Iranian officials stating that at least 153 people, including children, have been killed after a reported strike hit a school.
The Great Satan (America) and the Evil Empire (Israel) have carried out their unquenchable thirst and obsession for war. They have set the entire Middle East ablaze.
Iran has the inalienable right to defend itself from extinction. This will become a battle of attrition. A fight to the last msn standing as common sense dissipates and passion burns.
The entire world will be negatively impacted. Oil prices rising, shipping severely interrupted, clandestine bombings, inflation escalating, food insecurity exploding – these are just a fee consequences the world will be forced to face. This is such an unjustifiable and senseless war. Man has lost his way!
So Iran, in response to U.S. attacks is attacking other majority muslim states in the region simply because they are allies of the U.S. What a great way to isolate themselves in the region. Russia won’t be coming to help as they are too busy with Ukraine. China won’t risk a conflict with the U.S. unless it’s for Taiwan. I’m thinking this is gonna be over real soon and all the people hoping for world war 3 will be disappointed
I wonder if any, or how many Iranian CBI passport holders from Dominica that are involved in these attacks?
I wonder if any, or how many Iranians carrying Da CBI passports that have been killed? I even wonder what is the fate of PM Skerrit and Nanhans best friend , Alireza Monfared? I hope Skerrit and or Mano are in touch with him so they could give a report on him.
Since our CBI passports are sold through out the gulf, I wonder if any or how many of Skerrit’ CBI passport holders from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Dubai or throughout the gulf since they are all under fire from Iran , are dead or on the run.
Yes many Dominicans will say that the war is far from us and we should not be worried. But that is so untrue since our CBI passports are sold as hot bread through out the gulf and as a result I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that many of our CBI citizens are involved in the attack, one way or the other, thanks to the greedy and corrupt PM of DA. I just hope that war doesn’t come to DA