Iran has responded to American airstrikes by launching missiles and drones at Israel and US military facilities in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
The escalation has prompted several Gulf nations to shut their airspace, leading to the cancellation and diversion of hundreds of international flights.
According to Al Jazeera, Bahrain confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet was hit by a missile strike. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Defence Ministry stated that one Iranian missile was intercepted using the Patriot air defence system. Reuters also reported a loud explosion in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Iran had earlier warned it would target American interests across the Middle East if attacked by Washington. Reports indicate that some of the US bases struck may have been evacuated in anticipation of retaliation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it launched missiles and drones toward Israel following joint US-Israeli strikes. In a statement cited by Al Jazeera, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Israeli attacks on Saturday targeted the country’s “territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” including defensive infrastructure and non-military sites in several cities.
Tehran described the actions of the United States and Israel as violations of international law and the UN Charter, stressing that it reserves the right to respond under Article 51, which recognises the right to self-defence. The statement added that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation and warned that aggressors would face consequences.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that American casualties could occur in the conflict initiated by Washington and Israel against Iran.
In a televised address following the strikes, Trump said that while losses are possible in war, the mission was aimed at securing long-term objectives. He also suggested that regime change in Iran was a goal, urging Iranians to seize the opportunity to take control of their government.
The latest escalation comes shortly after indirect talks between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Observers note similarities to last June, when Israel launched attacks on Iran during ongoing negotiations with Washington.
Both Iran and Israel have now closed their airspace, while sirens continue to sound in Israeli cities as authorities advise residents to seek shelter. Several countries, including the US, China and the UK, have urged their citizens to leave Iran and Israel amid fears of a broader conflict. Washington has also advised Americans in Qatar and Bahrain to remain indoors.
Regional governments, including some Arab states allied with the US, had cautioned against military action, warning it could destabilise the Middle East.
This marks the second direct confrontation between Iran and Israel in less than a year. A previous clash in June escalated into a 12-day conflict that resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides, with the US later joining Israel in strikes against Iran.
In recent weeks, Washington has increased its military presence in the region, deploying additional fighter jets, bombers and naval assets ahead of the latest offensive.
The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected.