Iran has confirmed it targeted multiple US military installations across the Gulf in response to attacks by the United States and Israel, after a joint US-Israeli operation began at 08:10 Tel Aviv time targeting Iranian missile infrastructure and nuclear-related sites.
According to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, Iranian forces targeted Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Bahrain has confirmed that the Fifth Fleet headquarters was targeted in a missile attack.
Qatar’s Defence Ministry said an Iranian missile was intercepted by the Patriot air defence system. Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE have since closed their airspace. A loud explosion was reported in Abu Dhabi, according to Reuters, following earlier confirmation that at least one person was killed in the UAE capital after missile interceptions.
Explosions have also been reported in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as missile activity appears to widen beyond the immediate Iran-Israel theatre.
Air travel across the region has been severely disrupted. Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan. Qatar Airways has suspended all flights following the closure of Qatari airspace.
The escalation follows confirmation from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it launched missiles and drones towards Israel after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Missiles have struck several areas in Tehran, including districts housing ministries and military compounds. Explosions have also been reported in Kermanshah, Lorestan, Tabriz, Isfahan and Karaj.
US President Donald Trump said Washington had begun a “major combat operation” in Iran aimed at “eliminating threats from the Iranian regime”. A US official told Al Jazeera that the joint US-Israeli air campaign is designed to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus.
The Israeli military said missiles were launched from Iran, triggering sirens across multiple areas of the country. Israel has declared a state of emergency and advised citizens to remain close to shelters.
Diplomatic efforts are now intensifying. Iran has warned that any further US action would ignite a broader regional conflict. Gulf states have activated emergency protocols, while airspace closures and military alerts suggest governments are bracing for further escalation.