Tehran Targets U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain, Al Udeid in Qatar, and Israeli Cities; Air Defenses Intercept Most Projectiles Amid Global Alarm
Iran escalated the Middle East conflict Saturday night with a sweeping wave of missile and drone strikes against American military installations across the Persian Gulf and multiple targets inside Israel, marking the most direct confrontation between Tehran and Washington in years.
Gulf Bases Under Fire
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s United States Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as well as American bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The IRGC characterized the barrage as a response to “American-Zionist aggression on Iranian soil,” according to statements carried by Iran’s state news agency.
A U.S. official said American and allied air defense systems intercepted missiles aimed at Al Udeid Air Base, Al Dhafra Air Base, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
Qatar and the UAE confirmed that they had intercepted incoming projectiles. The UAE reported one casualty caused by falling debris, underscoring the growing risk to civilians in Gulf states that host U.S. forces.
Kuwait’s military said it repelled attacks and reserved the right to respond “in accordance with international law,” signaling that regional governments may consider coordinated countermeasures if strikes persist.
Israel Targeted as Sirens Sound
Iran also launched drones and missiles toward Israel, triggering air raid sirens in major population centers, including Tel Aviv, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
The renewed exchange raises fears of a multi-front regional war, with Israel already engaged in defensive operations following earlier strikes inside Iran.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned Tehran’s actions as “inexcusable and unjustifiable,” warning that further escalation could destabilize not only the Middle East but Europe and global markets.
Airspace Closures and Economic Fallout
The conflict’s economic implications are immediate. Major international airlines suspended flights across parts of the Gulf amid airspace closures, raising concerns over disruptions to one of the world’s most vital energy and trade corridors.
The Persian Gulf region is home to critical oil shipping lanes, including the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s crude supply transits daily. Markets are expected to react sharply as traders assess risks to energy infrastructure and maritime security.
Saudi Arabia issued a strong condemnation of what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression,” warning of “grave consequences” if violations of Gulf state sovereignty continue.
Strategic Turning Point
The Iranian retaliation represents a decisive escalation after Washington and Jerusalem carried out strikes earlier Saturday targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure and military facilities.
While U.S. officials say most incoming threats were intercepted, the scope of the retaliation demonstrates Tehran’s willingness to expand the battlefield beyond its borders and test American defensive systems throughout the Gulf.
Analysts note that Iran’s use of drones and ballistic missiles signals a calibrated yet forceful message: Tehran retains the capacity to strike U.S. assets across the region even under sustained military pressure.
Whether this exchange remains limited or spirals into sustained regional conflict will depend on Washington’s next moves, Tehran’s appetite for further escalation, and diplomatic efforts now racing against time.
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-- By Frank Atkinson
John James and James A. Wright contributed to this article.
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