Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as Iran retaliates with attacks on several US military bases in the region, following Washington's large-scale military operation with Israel against Iranian territory. The latest developments on February 28th have raised concerns about the risk of a wider conflict, significantly impacting regional security, energy markets, and the global economy.
Immediately after US President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington had begun a major military operation targeting Iran, Tehran announced the launch of retaliatory measures. Iranian armed forces quickly launched a barrage of ballistic missiles towards Israel, while also expanding their targets to include US military facilities in the Persian Gulf region.
According to regional media, multiple explosions were reported in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi on the same day. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched a “first wave” of attacks using missiles and drones, emphasizing that this was a direct response to “aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Israel reported no casualties in the initial attacks, but its air defenses were placed on high alert.
Regional sources indicate that Iranian missiles targeted several strategic US bases, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Base in the UAE, and a US Navy Fifth Fleet facility in Bahrain. Bahrain – a key Washington ally in the Gulf – confirmed that a service center belonging to the Fifth Fleet was attacked by missiles, although it has not yet released detailed information on the extent of the damage.
In the United Arab Emirates, authorities said at least one person was killed by Shard after air defenses intercepted a missile that entered Abu Dhabi airspace. The UAE government strongly condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty and international law, and affirmed its right to retaliate if the situation escalates.
Conversely, Israel announced the launch of another wave of attacks targeting military objectives in western Iran, just hours after the first wave of airstrikes carried out jointly by the US and Israel. This tit-for-tat chain of actions is pushing the Middle East into a new spiral of tension, raising the risk of multi-front conflict, especially given that many Gulf states are home to important US military bases.
