Iran strikes US bases from Bahrain to Qatar as retaliation, missile blasts reported in Dubai
Tehran (The Uttam Hindu): Following joint military action by Israel and the United States, Iran launched a major retaliatory strike on Saturday afternoon, targeting American military installations across at least eight countries. The reported targets included bases in Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other locations in the region. Bahrain confirmed that missile strikes were directed at the headquarters of the United States Navy Fifth Fleet.
The Bahraini government stated that the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, a key hub of American military presence in the Gulf region, was targeted by missiles.
Explosions reported across Gulf region
Loud explosions were reportedly heard in the capital of Qatar, while witnesses also reported blasts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Initial reports have not confirmed major casualties or damage, but security agencies are closely monitoring the situation. Iran claimed it used “precision and high-impact missiles” in the strikes. Several US military bases across the Middle East host troops, fighter jets, and advanced weaponry.
Earlier joint strikes by US and Israel
Earlier on Saturday, the United States and Israel reportedly carried out extensive strikes on multiple Iranian targets. US President Donald Trump issued a video message urging Iranian citizens to stand against their government. Reports suggested that early strikes targeted a residential complex linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in central Tehran, although his presence there at the time could not be confirmed.
Iran’s military response
Iran’s paramilitary force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that it had begun retaliatory action by launching drones and missiles toward Israeli positions. Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen warned of renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and Israeli targets, though no official confirmation has been issued.
Nuclear tensions at the core
President Trump stated that the US had already deployed fighter jets and warships in the region to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme. He maintained that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains the primary objective.
With the situation evolving rapidly, fears of wider instability across the Middle East are rising. The conflict could also impact global markets and oil supply, while the international community continues to urge restraint from all sides.