Iran Strikes: Israel, Gulf Respond with New Attacks

Iran launched drone and missile strikes against neighboring states hosting U.S. military assets Friday, escalating tensions in the region. The attacks targeted Saudi Arabia, Oman, Turkey, and Iraq, resulting in casualties and raising concerns about a wider conflict.

Iran Launches Regional Strikes

Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry reported intercepting dozens of drones, including one aimed at the capital’s Diplomatic Quarter. AFP images showed black smoke rising over the Dubai skyline following an attack on the city, previously considered a safe haven.

In Oman, two people died from falling drone debris, according to state media. Sirens sounded early Friday at Incirlik airbase in Turkey, a key NATO facility that houses U.S. troops.

France announced the death of its first soldier in the Erbil region of Iraq. President Emmanuel Macron did not provide details on the attack or identify the responsible party, but the French military stated drones struck a base where troops were conducting counter-terrorism training with Iraqi forces.

A pro-Iranian group in Iraq, Ashab al-Kahf, had warned French interests in the region were targets following the arrival of a French aircraft carrier, though the group did not claim responsibility for the attack on French forces.

A U.S. refuelling aircraft crashed in Iraq. While the U.S. military stated the crash was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” Iran’s military claimed an allied group in Iraq downed the aircraft with a missile, resulting in the deaths of all crew members.