Blasts rock Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait amid ongoing Iranian retaliation

US-Iran Conflict Escalates: Retaliatory Attacks Continue for Third Day

A series of loud explosions was reported in Dubai and Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Monday, marking the third consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory strikes against neighboring Gulf states. The attacks are a response to ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

In Kuwait, air defences intercepted most drones near Rumaithiya and Salwa neighborhoods, according to the Kuwait News Agency. A witness reported seeing smoke rising from near the US embassy. Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior activated air raid alerts and urged residents to seek safe shelter. The Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge was closed, and residents were advised to use main roads only when necessary.

The conflict has resulted in fatalities and injuries across the region. At least one person has been killed in Kuwait, three in the UAE, and 16 in Qatar. In Iran, at least 201 people have been killed and 747 wounded in US-Israeli attacks, while nine have been killed and 121 wounded in Israel.

A joint statement issued by the US, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE condemned Iranian attacks across the region and affirmed their right to self-defence. The Gulf countries pledged to take necessary measures to defend their security and stability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is not seeking confrontation with its Gulf neighbors and maintains friendly relations with them. He emphasized that the Iranian actions are an act of self-defence and retaliation against US aggression.

Source: Al Jazeera