The Middle East slid deeper into open conflict on Saturday after missiles struck a key service centre of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, while explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi and airspace across the Gulf was shut amid escalating strikes between United States, Israel and Iran.
Bahrain’s state news agency confirmed that multiple facilities inside the kingdom were hit in what it described as a "flagrant violation of sovereignty", saying authorities had activated emergency measures. Later, it said the service centre of the US Fifth Fleet had been targeted in a missile attack, with further details awaited.
The strikes came hours after the US and Israel launched what both sides called a "broad, coordinated military operation" against Iran, with early attacks reported near Tehran, including areas close to offices linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian media reported explosions and air strikes across multiple cities, while state television aired footage of damaged buildings in Tehran, showing rescuers digging through rubble for survivors. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later said it had launched a first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, signalling further retaliation.
Gulf on edge, airspace shut
The United Arab Emirates closed its airspace as explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi, a move expected to cause major disruption to global air travel given the presence of Emirates and Etihad. Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq also reported sirens, warning alerts and airspace closures as the conflict rippled across the region.
The US Embassy in Qatar, along with missions in the UAE and Israel, issued shelter-in-place advisories for American personnel and citizens. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters of US Central Command and home to thousands of US troops.
In Israel, authorities instructed civilians to remain near shelters as sirens blared nationwide. Streets emptied and television broadcasters shifted to bomb shelters while air defence systems intercepted incoming Iranian missiles. Explosions were also reported in parts of Jordan and southern Lebanon.
Trump declares ‘major combat operations’
US President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the United States had begun "major combat operations in Iran", describing the campaign as necessary to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
"Iran cannot have nuclear weapons," Trump said, warning that the operation could lead to American casualties. He added that the strikes were part of a "massive and ongoing operation" aimed at destroying Iran’s missile industry, degrading its navy and neutralising allied proxy forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint action was designed to remove an "existential threat", claiming the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington.
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