In a major and unprecedented escalation across the Middle East, the Islamic Republic of Iran has launched coordinated missile and drone attacks against Israel and five Arab states, marking one of the largest regional confrontations in years.
The retaliatory strikes followed a joint military operation by the United States (US) and Israel against Iranian targets earlier today, which triggered explosions in Tehran as both nations targeted strategic sites.
Iran’s response was swift and broad, hitting multiple countries that host US military assets or are allied with Washington in the region.
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Iran’s Retaliation Targets Multiple Countries
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a large-scale offensive targeting both Israeli territory and Gulf Arab states. Missiles and drones were fired toward:
Israel — Iranian missiles has hits several buildings and places in Israel capitol Tel Aviv and many locations across the country.
However Israel claimed it has detected and intercepted over parts of the country, triggering widespread alerts and defensive responses, the claims GLOBAL TRACKER cannot independently verified.
Bahrain — Explosions were reported near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, and Bahraini officials confirmed missiles hit U.S.-linked facilities.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) — Iranian ballistic missiles were launched toward the UAE, with air defenses intercepting many; authorities reported at least one civilian fatality in Abu Dhabi from falling debris.
Qatar — Missiles fired at Qatar, home to the Al Udeid Air Base, were intercepted by air defenses, and government sources reported no major damage, however the report is subject to scrutiny.
Kuwait — Kuwait’s military said it engaged and shot down Iranian missiles in its airspace.
Jordan — Jordanian forces reported intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles targeting their territory.
This represents Iranian strikes or attempted strikes against six countries namely Israel and five Arab states, in one coordinated retaliation.
Meanwhile, the wide-ranging attacks had immediate and severe effects;
Airspace closures were implemented across much of the Gulf and Israel as a safety measure, grounding civilian flights and disrupting global air traffic.
Civil defense systems were activated in multiple nations, with residents instructed to take shelter while sirens echoed in cities from Doha and Kuwait City to Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
Casualties and damage continue to be assessed: at least one civilian death in the UAE has been confirmed so far, and varying reports suggest infrastructure impacts near military sites in Bahrain.
Countries hosting U.S. forces — including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE — faced direct threats, highlighting the reach of Iran’s response and its emphasis on targeting American military presence in the region.
Regional and Strategic Fallout
Iran’s leadership framed the retaliation as a response to what it described as aggressive strikes by the United States and Israel earlier in the day, warning that American and Israeli assets in the Middle East are now “legitimate targets.”
Iranian officials stated there were “no red lines” in this operation, signaling an unprecedented willingness to strike broadly.
The attacks have significantly escalated tensions, drawing multiple states into direct involvement and raising fears that a wider, multi-front conflict could unfold. Gulf Cooperation Council governments condemned the strikes as violations of their sovereignty and international law, while defense systems across the region were pushed to their limits in rapid succession.
The situation remains highly fluid, and international leaders are urgently seeking ways to avert further escalation.