Multiple loud explosions rocked Abu Dhabi as Iranian forces targeted the Al Dhafra Air Base, a critical military installation shared by the UAE Air Force and the US Air Force.
1. The Scope of the Regional Counter-Attack
Iran has launched a massive, multi-front retaliatory campaign targeting at least six nations across the Middle East. Beyond its direct missile barrage against Israel, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has directed ballistic missiles and drone swarms at US military installations scattered across the Arabian Peninsula. Iranian officials have publicly stated that all US bases and interests in the region are now within their operational reach, effectively engulfing the entire Gulf in the conflict.
2. Bahrain: The US Fifth Fleet Targeted
In a direct strike against American naval dominance, Iran targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet located in Manama, Bahrain. Bahrain’s National Communication Centre confirmed that the fleet’s service center was subjected to a missile attack. Thick smoke was reported rising from the Juffair area, highlighting a severe escalation that directly threatens international maritime security and logistical support ships in the Gulf.
3. United Arab Emirates: Al Dhafra Air Base Under Fire
Multiple loud explosions rocked Abu Dhabi as Iranian forces targeted the Al Dhafra Air Base, a critical military installation shared by the UAE Air Force and the US Air Force. Witnesses near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche reported rapid, powerful blasts that shook residential windows. In response, the UAE was forced to partially and temporarily close its airspace as an exceptional precautionary measure.
4. Qatar: Al Udeid Forward Headquarters Hit
The sprawling Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar, which serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM), was also caught in the crossfire. Emergency sirens blared across the base as Qatari missile defense systems scrambled to intercept incoming Iranian projectiles. The immediate threat prompted the US Embassy in Qatar to issue urgent shelter-in-place advisories for all American citizens in the country.
5. Kuwait: US Army Central Base Threatened
The retaliatory wave extended into Kuwait, a crucial logistical hub for the American military and home to US Army Central. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and warning sirens across the country as Iranian missiles entered the airspace. Reacting to the deteriorating security situation, Kuwait’s aviation authority immediately suspended all commercial flights to and from Iran until further notice.
