Iran strikes Israel, US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE
Iran has fired several missiles and drones on Israel and US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.
The situation has forced many Gulf countries to close their airspace, grounding hundreds of flights worldwide.
According to Al Jazeera’s report, Bahrain has confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet has been targeted by a missile attack, while Qatar’s Defence Ministry said that an Iranian missile was intercepted by the Patriot defence system.
Reuters also reported a loud explosion in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.
Iran had threatened to attack all American interests in the Middle East if attacked by the US. However, many of the bases targeted by Iran are believed to have been emptied as the US expected such retaliation.
Iran’s IRGC has also confirmed that it has launched missiles and drones towards Israel following the US-Israeli attacks.
In a statement shared by Al Jazeera, Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said Israeli attacks Saturday morning targeted Iran’s “territorial integrity and national sovereignty, including defensive infrastructure and non-military locations in various cities across the country.
“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, President Donald Trump warned that some Americans would be killed in the war.
“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,” the American leader said in a video broadcast after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
He also indicated that his aim was to achieve a change in government in Iran.
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” the president said, in reference to protesters in Iran who had protested the economic situation in the country, largely caused by US sanctions on Iran.
