The Middle East has been plunged into a rapidly escalating conflict as Iran launches what officials describe as a “crushing” retaliatory campaign against Israeli and US interests. Following joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran earlier today, explosions have been reported across northern Israel and several Gulf Arab states, signalling a major escalation in regional hostilities.
“No red lines”: Tehran broadens targets
Tehran has vowed a “strong response” to the joint operation, with state media reporting that the country is prepared to “take revenge.” A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that “all American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become legitimate targets” and declared that “there are no red lines” following the strikes on Iranian soil. One of the initial targets in Tehran reportedly included an area near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has since been moved to a secure location.
Missiles target Israel and Gulf states
The retaliatory wave began shortly after the strikes on Tehran:
- Israel: Sirens sounded across the country as northern Israel was rocked by explosions. The Israeli military, which has declared a state of emergency, is using air defence systems to intercept incoming Iranian missiles.
- Bahrain: Authorities confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet was targeted by a missile attack.
- Qatar: The Ministry of Defence reported that an Iranian missile was intercepted by a Patriot defence system. In response, the US embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place order for all personnel and recommended the same for US citizens in the country.
- UAE and Kuwait: Reuters reported a loud explosion in Abu Dhabi, while Al Jazeera Arabic confirmed explosions were heard in Kuwait.
Regional airspace paralyzed
The scale of Iran’s retaliation has led to a near-total shutdown of civilian aviation across the region. Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Iraq have all closed their national airspace to civilian flights.
While US President Donald Trump described the initial strikes as a “major combat operation” aimed at “eliminating imminent threats,” the immediate and widespread Iranian counter-attacks suggest a significant escalation in the conflict. Some analysts believe the timing of the joint operation may have been intended to disrupt ongoing US-Iran negotiations. (NewsWire)
