Israel, US carry out attacks on Iran; Tehran launches retaliatory strikes on regional bases

The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, targeting its leadership and plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the United States and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers.

The strikes put nearby oil-producing Gulf Arab countries on edge as fears of escalation in the region grew, and Tehran responded by launching missiles towards Israel.

The first wave of strikes in what the Pentagon named “OPERATION EPIC FURY” mainly targeted Iranian officials, a source familiar with the matter said.

An Israeli official said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted but the result of the strikes was not clear. A source with knowledge of the matter had earlier told Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location.

Also read: Civilian killed in Iranian strikes on Abu Dhabi: UAE defence ministry

An Iranian source close to the establishment said several senior commanders in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and political officials had been killed. Reuters could not independently confirm the report.

Hopes dim for diplomatic solution

The renewed confrontation between Iran and its long-time foes dimmed hopes of a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s nuclear dispute with the West. The latest indirect talks between the US and Iran this week failed to produce a breakthrough.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said a first wave of retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks had been launched against Israel, and that all US bases and interests in the region were within Iran’s reach, an Iranian official told Reuters.

Iran’s retaliation would continue until “the enemy is decisively defeated,” the Revolutionary Guards said.

Loud booms sounded in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi, a major oil producer and close US ally. Blasts were also heard in the country’s business capital Dubai.

One witness in Abu Dhabi heard five booms in rapid succession that caused windows to vibrate. Other witnesses in the Al Dhafra and Bateen areas heard loud booms as well.

Also read: UAE, Kuwait, say responded to incoming missiles

Bahrain said the service center of the US Fifth Fleet had been subjected to a missile attack. Video footage from witnesses in Bahrain showed a thick grey plume of smoke rising from near the small island state’s coastline as sirens wailed.

Fellow Gulf Arab state Qatar said it had downed all missiles targeting the country and that it had a right to respond.

Explosions were heard near Iran’s Kharg Island. Iran exports 90 percent of its crude oil via Kharg, for shipping through the narrow Strait of Hormuz.

Global airlines cancelled flights across the Middle East.