Iran Escalates: 14 US Military Bases Across Seven Nations Targeted
Iran has made good on its promise to attack all US military bases in the region if attacked first. Iranian state media reported that Iranian missiles have targeted fourteen US military bases across the Middle East to date.
The Tasnim News Agency reported that sources from Iran’s military stated that dozens of US military bases have been targeted by Iran. Behnam Saeedi, Secretary of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy at Iran’s Consultative Assembly, also confirmed today that Iran’s Armed Forces have targeted seven US military bases across seven countries.
Saeedi added that the Islamic Republic’s response to the alleged aggression is direct and that what has been accomplished so far is merely a sort of exercise, not a forceful response. Iran had previously sworn that Washington’s military bases in the region would be attacked if the Islamic Republic came under fire.
The United States maintains eight permanent military bases in the Middle East, located in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. In addition, they have access to approximately a dozen other military facilities in the region, including locations in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that missiles and drones targeted the Fifth Fleet Navy Headquarters in Bahrain, along with other US military installations in the region.
In the Gulf region, American bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar were all struck. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence stated that Ali al-Salem Air Base was attacked when several Iranian ballistic missiles were launched in retaliation for US-led aggression against Iran.
Meanwhile, explosions were reported throughout the Gulf, with the exception of Oman, as well as in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. Ongoing concern was heard throughout Israel as wave after wave of relentless ballistic missiles bombarded the occupied territories.
Al Jazeera reported that a drone targeted Kuwait International Airport, resulting in “minor injuries” to several employees. There was also “limited material damage” to a passenger terminal, according to Kuwait’s General Civil Aviation Authority.
Its official spokesman, Abdullah al-Rajhi, stated that authorities immediately launched “approved emergency procedures, whereby the incident was handled and the site was secured”.
In Doha, Qatar, explosions continued throughout the day with increasing frequency.
Al Jazeera reported that the initial wave of attacks saw approximately three to four explosions at once, with interceptions occurring in Doha’s airspace. Iranian missiles apparently became targets for US-supplied Patriot and THAAD air defence systems. In the following hours, the number increased from three or four to approximately six or seven explosions.
Loud explosions were also heard in Dubai, the UAE. Authorities in Dubai confirmed that an incident occurred in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area, resulting in casualties. “Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and the location has been secured. Dubai Civil Defence has confirmed that the fire caused by it can now be controlled,” said Dubai’s Media Office in a statement.
According to the media office, four people were injured and transferred to medical facilities for treatment. “Authorities continue to take all necessary measures to protect the public,” it said.
Smoke also billowed following an Iranian drone strike at Erbil airport in Erbil, Iraq. Several drones were shot down in Erbil today after Iran reportedly launched a retaliatory air attack targeting US military positions in the region, including areas near the American consulate and Erbil International Airport.