Iran strikes US bases across Middle East after joint US-Israel assault

MANAMA, BAHRAIN: Iran on Saturday, February 28, launched a series of missile barrages targeting Israel and multiple US military bases across the Middle East, hours after American and Israeli forces began what they described as “major combat operations” against Tehran.

According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, Iranian forces struck the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

Thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising near the naval facility in Manama, though the extent of the damage remains unclear. The United States has not yet issued an official comment on the reported strike.

Tehran also targeted several key US military installations across the region, including Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base,  the largest US military base in the Middle East and Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

Explosion in Abu Dhabi, casualty confirmed

A loud explosion was reported in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The Emirati defence ministry confirmed that one person was killed in what it described as a “blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles.”

The UAE, along with Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait, all of which host US military facilities, stated that their air defence systems intercepted missiles in their respective airspaces.

In Doha, Qatar’s defence ministry confirmed it had successfully intercepted several missiles believed to be targeting Al-Udeid Air Base, a critical hub for US operations in the region.

Iran declares US bases ‘legitimate targets’

In its first official statement since the morning attacks by Washington and Tel Aviv, Iran’s foreign affairs ministry declared that “the time has come to defend the homeland,” warning that its adversaries would “regret their actions.”

“The renewed military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran constitutes a violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,” the ministry said.

It added that the Iranian nation had exercised “patience and restraint” to prevent escalation and preserve regional stability, but would now consider US bases legitimate targets.

IRGC announces ‘Operation Truthful Promise 4’

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it was targeting American bases and assets as part of “Operation Truthful Promise 4,” describing the strikes as retaliation for what it called a “massive” and ongoing attack by the US and Israel earlier in the day.

The initial US-Israel operation reportedly began at approximately 09:15 Iran time, targeting sites linked to Iran’s leadership structure.

US President Donald Trump, responding to the strikes on Iran, publicly encouraged the Iranian people to rise against their government, further inflaming tensions.

Israel under fire; Jordan intercepts missiles

In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across multiple cities throughout Saturday as Iranian missiles were launched toward the country. The Israeli military said its air force was actively working to intercept incoming projectiles.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s armed forces reported that they had shot down two ballistic missiles aimed at their territory. Authorities confirmed there were no casualties.

The escalation marks one of the most significant confrontations between Iran, the United States, and Israel in recent years, with multiple regional players drawn into the fallout.

With US military installations across the Gulf placed on high alert and missile interceptions reported across several countries, the risk of a broader regional conflict has intensified dramatically.