One killed in UAE as Iran targets American bases in Middle East in response to US-Israeli strikes

Iran on Saturday launched barrages of missiles towards Israel and the American bases in the Middle East in retaliation for the US and Israeli military strikes. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi after missile debris fell on a residential area, the Defence Ministry of the United Arab Emirates said.

In a statement, the ministry confirmed “a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles”. It said that the UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted several missiles.

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However, debris from the intercepted missiles fell on a residential area in Abu Dhabi, killing a civilian of Asian nationality. The UAE condemned the attack as “a dangerous escalation” and “a cowardly act”, adding that it “reserves its full right to respond”.

Iran also attacked the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, marking a major escalation in tensions in the Middle East. A loud explosion was also heard in Abu Dhabi. Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East, was also targeted by Iran.

Loud sirens were heard as Qatari air defence systems intercepted Iranian missiles. Qatar reportedly deployed US-made Patriot interceptor systems to intercept the Iranian missiles.

Earlier, the IDF said that it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel and that the country’s defensive systems were operating to intercept the threat.

“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas,” the IDF said.

Shortly after the first barrage, Iran launched another barrage of missiles towards Israel, the IDF confirmed. It stated that the Israel Air Force (IAF) was operating to “to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat.”

What Iran said on “renewed military aggression” by the US and Israel

Following the joint military strikes by the US and Israel, Iran vowed a “crushing response” against their targets. In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it would make its aggressors “regret their actions”, adding that the country is “fully prepared to defend” itself.

“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 Islamic Republic of Iran considers this aggression a clear breach of international peace and security and emphasises that it reserves its legitimate right to respond decisively,” the ministry said.

It further added, “The Iranian nation has always demonstrated patience and restraint to prevent escalation and preserve regional stability.”

Israel launched ‘Operation Lion’s Roar’, a joint military offensive with the help of the United States, against Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the attacks on Iran are aimed at removing the “existential threat” posed by what he called “the Iranian terrorist regime”.

Netanyahu alleged that the Ayatollahs’ regime chanted “Death to Israel,” “Death to America” for 47 years. He further accused the regime of spilling blood, murdering many Americans, and massacring its own people. The PM warned that this “murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity.”