Iran strikes back: Blasts in Bahrain, Saudi; missile intercepted over Qatar; US 5th fleet targeted

Tehran/Bahrain/Qatar: Explosions and missile alerts were reported across multiple countries in the Gulf on Saturday as Iran retaliated for recent US and Israeli strikes on its territory.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry issued an emergency alert, urging citizens to move to the nearest safe location, as smoke was seen rising from several areas. “The Fifth Fleet's service centre was subjected to a missile attack. We will provide you with details later,” said Bahrain's National Communication Centre.

In Qatar, the Defence Ministry confirmed that an Iranian missile was intercepted by the Patriot air defence system. The United Arab Emirates announced the closure of its airspace after explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi, with smoke visible across parts of the city, according to the state-run WAM news agency. 

AFP correspondents in Manama also reported a loud explosion following a missile attack on a US base in Bahrain’s capital.

According to Al Jazeera reports, multiple explosions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

According to the Iranian Fars news agency, Iranian strikes targeted multiple strategic locations across the Gulf, including Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the Fifth US Base in Bahrain.

UAE, Kuwait, say responded to incoming missiles

The United Arab Emirates said it had intercepted Iranian missiles and reserved its right to respond to the attacks, while Kuwait also engaged incoming strikes.

"The Ministry of Defence announced that the United Arab Emirates was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles. The UAE's air defences responded with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of the missiles," it said in a statement.

Abu Dhabi said it "reserves its full right to respond" slamming the attacks as "a dangerous escalation".

Kuwait's Chief of Staff said in a statement that "air defence systems engaged incoming missiles detected in the airspace".

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These incidents come after coordinated strikes earlier this week by Israel on Iranian sites in Tehran, targeting military and administrative locations. The United States also carried out separate operations against Iran, escalating regional tensions.

An Iranian official had warned of retaliation following the strikes, describing the response as “crushing.” Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s National Security Commission, had posted on social media:

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“We warned you! Now you have started down a path which end is no longer in your control.”

Analysts are now closely monitoring developments across the Gulf, as the risk of further Iranian missile launches or retaliatory attacks remains high. Israel described its earlier operations as a “preventive strike,” while US officials have confirmed participation in separate countermeasures aimed at deterring Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs.

The escalating situation has already led several countries in the region, including Qatar and the UAE, to impose emergency measures, including airspace closures and heightened civilian alerts.

The United States and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.

President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach US.