Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries hosting US forces on Saturday, vowing not to surrender despite warnings from US President Donald Trump to expand the conflict.
The attacks came as Israel and the United States carried out more air strikes across Iran, including one that set part of a Tehran airport on fire. Despite the bombardment, Iran showed it could still retaliate.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck the US naval base in Juffair, Bahrain, claiming the base had earlier been used to attack an Iranian desalination plant.
Air raid sirens and explosions were reported in Jerusalem and Doha, while attacks were also reported in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The UAE said its air defence systems intercepted 15 missiles and 119 drones, though video footage showed one projectile crashing at Dubai International Airport. AFP journalists also heard explosions in Baghdad, Erbil, and Dubai.
Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei warned that attacks would continue, accusing some regional countries of allowing their territory to be used by Iran’s enemies.
Earlier, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries that host major US bases but insisted Iran would not surrender.
“Iran’s enemies must take their wish for unconditional surrender to their graves,” Pezeshkian said.
Heavy Air Raids and Growing Casualties
Israel launched some of its largest raids since the war began, targeting a military academy, an underground command centre and a missile storage facility.
At Mehrabad International Airport, fire and smoke rose after an early morning strike in which Israel said 16 aircraft and fighter jets were destroyed.
President Trump warned Iran that it would be hit “very hard” and said more targets could be attacked.
An Iraqi fighter was also killed in strikes blamed on the US on bases linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces in northern Iraq.
The war began with joint US-Israeli air strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Conflict Spreads Across the Region
The fighting has expanded to Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, and even reached waters near Sri Lanka, where US forces reportedly sank an Iranian warship.
Inside Iran, residents of Tehran reported growing fear as infrastructure damage increases and security forces flood the streets.
Iran’s health ministry said 926 civilians had been killed and about 6,000 injured, though the figures could not be independently verified.
Israel has also intensified air strikes in Lebanon, repeatedly bombing southern Beirut, where the Iran-backed group Hezbollah is based.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Lebanon would pay a “very heavy price” if Hezbollah is not disarmed.
Lebanon’s health ministry said 294 people have been killed in Israeli strikes over the past week, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned of a humanitarian crisis.
Global Impact and Rising Tensions
The conflict has disrupted global markets. Stock markets have fallen while oil prices surged as fighting threatens shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck two oil tankers with explosive drones in the Gulf as part of efforts to disrupt oil traffic.
Meanwhile, protests related to the conflict were held in cities around the world — some supporting Iran, others opposing the war or backing exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said the US would have no role in selecting Iran’s next leader after Khamenei.
Reports suggest Russia may be providing intelligence to Iran, though US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is not concerned.
The war has already killed six US service members, and President Trump is expected to attend a ceremony marking the return of their bodies.