The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on targets across Iran on Saturday in an operation the Pentagon has named “Operation Epic Fury”. The attacks, which reportedly targeted senior Iranian leadership and key facilities, marked a sharp escalation in tensions in West Asia and triggered immediate retaliation from Tehran.
According to reports, Iran responded by launching missiles at Israel and at several Gulf Arab nations that host American military bases. Bahrain said a missile targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the island kingdom. Explosions were also reported in Kuwait, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai as the situation intensified across the Gulf.
An Israeli official, cited in a Reuters report, said Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted, although the outcome of the strikes was not immediately clear. A source familiar with the matter earlier told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been moved to a secure location.
Indian resident in Kuwait recounts tense morning
Amid the rapidly evolving situation, an Indian resident living in Kuwait described the tense atmosphere on the ground while speaking with HT.com.
The man said, “In the morning, we heard that Kuwait intercepts ballistic missiles targeting US Air Base. Followed by sirens sounding across the region. Ministry of Interior notified everyone to remain calm and stay indoors. We are getting updates from the ministry regularly and currently the situation remains normal.”
Authorities in Kuwait and other Gulf nations urged residents to remain indoors as a precaution, even as air defence systems reportedly intercepted incoming projectiles. Social media was flooded with videos claiming to show flashes in the sky and the sound of distant blasts.
Trump defends strikes, urges regime change
US President Donald Trump said the strikes were aimed at ending a security threat to the United States and ensuring Iran could not develop a nuclear weapon. He called on Iranian security forces to lay down their weapons and invited Iranians to topple their government once the bombing ended.
Iran, however, responded swiftly, firing missiles not only at Israel but also towards neighbouring Gulf countries housing US bases. Explosions, part of the Iranian retaliation, were heard in the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait among other places, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.