TEHRAN/RIYADH/ABU DHABI, Feb 28 — Explosions were reported in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain after Iran launched waves of missiles and drones in retaliation for coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iranian territory, escalating tensions across the Middle East.
Iranian officials said the attacks targeted Israel as well as US military bases in the Gulf region. Air raid sirens sounded across parts of Israel, while blasts were heard in Tel Aviv and northern areas, according to local media reports.
Iran’s military said the operation, referred to as “Fateh Khyber,” involved ballistic missiles and drones. Iranian state-linked sources said the strikes were in response to what US President Donald Trump earlier described as “major combat operations” against Iran.
Gulf states on alert
Explosions were also reported in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. Witnesses in Abu Dhabi said multiple loud blasts were heard, and authorities in several Gulf countries took precautionary measures.
In Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, diplomatic personnel were relocated to shelters. The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate in Dubai instructed staff and American citizens to shelter in place, citing regional hostilities.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE temporarily closed their airspace following the strikes, while Qatar and Kuwait reported missile interceptions or explosions.
Iranian officials warned that all US bases in the region were within missile range and signaled further retaliation if hostilities continued.
Israel and US response
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched what he described as a pre-emptive strike against Iran to remove perceived threats. An Israeli defense official told Reuters that the operation had been coordinated with the United States and planned for months.
President Trump, in a video statement, said the objective of the US action was to counter what he called imminent threats from Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes. He also addressed Iranian security forces and citizens, urging them to lay down arms.
Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah. Iranian authorities said emergency protocols were activated in hospitals amid reports of casualties, though independent confirmation was limited.
Diplomatic tensions deepen
The escalation comes after indirect US-Iran negotiations in recent weeks failed to yield progress on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Israel has maintained that any diplomatic agreement must include dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and restrictions on its missile programme.
Israel closed its airspace and declared a state of emergency following the retaliation. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office advised its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Iran and urged those in the country to remain vigilant.
Regional governments remain on alert as fears grow that the confrontation could expand beyond the immediate parties involved.
Today's E-Paper