Iran Launches Missile and Drone Strikes Across the Gulf Following US Airstrikes

Iran unleashed waves of simultaneous missile and drone attacks across the Gulf on Sunday morning, targeting Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The strikes also extended to Jordan and Oman, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities following a third round of US airstrikes on Iranian targets.

The conflict intensified after the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted strikes against approximately 140 targets in southern Iran on Saturday night. These US operations were launched in response to an Iranian attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which left the vessel ablaze, disabled, and resulted in one missing crew member.

Attacks Across the Gulf and Jordan

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the retaliatory strikes, stating they targeted critical military infrastructure. According to the IRGC, their operations included:

* Qatar: Strikes against the Al-Udeid US airbase, where the IRGC claimed to have destroyed a command and control center and an aircraft maintenance facility. Qatar’s government reported that its armed forces successfully intercepted the incoming missiles, though three people—including one child—were injured by falling shrapnel.
* Jordan: Claims of destroying a command and control center and MQ-9 drone hangars at the Prince Hassan Air Base. Jordanian authorities confirmed three missiles landed in the country, but reported no casualties.
* Kuwait: Claims of using explosive drones to target a Patriot air defense system, an ammunition depot, and a US radar site. Kuwaiti armed forces confirmed they were engaging “hostile aerial targets” within their airspace.
* Oman: Claims of a “heavy and surprise” attack on the Port of Duqm, which is used by the US Navy for aircraft carrier support and refueling. Oman’s state news agency reported that the enclave of Musandam was targeted by drones.
* United Arab Emirates: The UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed its air defense systems were actively engaging incoming Iranian missiles and drones.

Emergency Responses and Public Safety

Across the region, governments activated emergency protocols as air defense systems engaged the incoming projectiles. In Doha, loud booms shook the city as residents observed multiple ballistic missile interceptions. Qatar’s Interior Ministry raised the security threat level to high, urging residents to stay indoors and away from windows.

Similar warnings were issued elsewhere. Bahrain activated air raid sirens multiple times, urging citizens to remain calm and move to safe locations. The UAE also issued public warnings, with officials clarifying that explosions heard by residents were the result of successful air defense interceptions.

The Strait of Hormuz and Diplomatic Tensions

The sudden escalation follows the breakdown of a mid-June memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington intended to end the war. Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed “until further notice,” asserting that the container ship targeted on Saturday was using a navigation route that Tehran had not approved.

Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned on social media that the “era of one-sided deals is over,” emphasizing that Iran would retaliate against US strikes by targeting American military facilities in the Gulf. The IRGC echoed this sentiment, accusing the US of attempting to impose its will on the region and promising stronger responses to continued “aggression.”

The US military maintains that its strikes on Iran are necessary to degrade the country’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM reported that the latest strikes utilized a combination of naval vessels, drones, and fighter aircraft to hit missile sites, naval capabilities, and communication networks. As of Sunday, the situation remains volatile with ongoing security alerts issued by authorities in the affected nations.

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