Iran Strikes Back At Israel And Hits US Military Bases In Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE

Iran has responded to recent US strikes by launching missiles and drones at Israel and at American military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The escalation has led several Gulf nations to shut down their airspace, disrupting flights across the region and beyond.

According to Al Jazeera, Bahrain confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet was hit by a missile attack.

Qatar’s Defence Ministry said one Iranian missile was intercepted using the Patriot air defence system.

Reuters also reported a loud explosion in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

Iran had earlier warned that it would target American interests in the Middle East if the US attacked.

However, many of the bases targeted by Iran had already been cleared, as Washington anticipated retaliation.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had fired missiles and drones at Israel in response to joint US-Israeli attacks.

In a statement shared by Al Jazeera, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Israel of violating the country’s sovereignty by targeting defensive and civilian sites in several cities.

The ministry described the US and Israeli actions as a breach of international law and the UN Charter, saying Iran reserves the right to defend itself.

“The renewed military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran constitutes a violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers this aggression a clear breach of international peace and security and emphasises that it reserves its legitimate right to respond decisively.

“The Iranian nation has always demonstrated patience and restraint to prevent escalation and preserve regional stability,” it read, adding that “the armed forces stand fully prepared to defend the country and will make aggressors regret their actions.”

Iran added that the attacks by the US and Israel were a “clear example of armed aggression” and cited Article 51 of the UN Charter about Iran’s right to self-defence.

“History shows that Iranians have never surrendered to aggression. This time as well, Iran’s response will be decisive, and aggressors will regret their hostile actions,” it added.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that American casualties were possible in the conflict.

In a video following the strikes, Trump said the operation was aimed at long-term security and described it as a necessary mission.

“The Iranian regime seeks to kill. The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties — that often happens in war — but we’re doing this not for now. We’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission,” he said.

He also suggested that political change in Iran was one of his objectives, encouraging Iranians to take control of their government.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said, in reference to protesters in Iran who had protested the economic situation in the country, largely caused by US sanctions on Iran.

The latest fighting began just one day after indirect talks between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

A similar situation occurred last June, when Israel attacked Iran while nuclear discussions were ongoing.

Iran is widely expected to continue targeting American interests in the region as well as Israel.

Several countries, including some Arab states allied with Washington, had warned that attacking Iran could destabilise the Middle East.

Both Iran and Israel have now closed their airspace, and warning sirens have continued to sound in Israeli cities, with residents urged to seek shelter.

On Friday, countries such as the US, China, and the UK advised their citizens to leave both Iran and Israel due to rising tensions. The US also urged its citizens in Qatar and Bahrain to stay indoors.

This marks the second major confrontation between Israel and Iran in less than a year.

The first, in June last year, led to a 12-day conflict that caused hundreds of deaths and significant damage on both sides. The US supported Israel during that clash and later carried out strikes of its own.

In recent weeks, Washington had strengthened its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional fighter jets, bombers, and naval vessels ahead of the latest round of attacks, despite warnings from global leaders urging restraint.

KanyiDaily recalls that the United States and Israel carried out a series of strikes on Iranian cities on Saturday, causing explosions and large columns of smoke in the capital, Tehran.