Iran reportedly escalates attacks on Gulf energy and civilian targets

Gulf Countries Accuse Iran of Targeting Civilian Infrastructure in Escalating Tensions

Iran has been accused by Gulf countries of targeting civilian infrastructure such as hotels and airports in response to recent attacks on Iranian targets. The accusations come amid escalating tensions in the region, which have seen multiple launches of drones and missiles.

On Saturday, Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with strikes on Israeli and US military assets in several Gulf countries. Since then, Iran has targeted various locations, including energy facilities, hotels, airports, and airbases.

Bahrain reported that a missile attack hit the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Manama, while Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said its Ali al-Salem airbase came under attack by ballistic missiles. Qatar’s Defence Ministry stated that it had thwarted attacks on the country, intercepting all missiles before they reached its territory.

The UAE Defence Ministry reported that 186 missiles were launched and 172 of them destroyed, with one missile landing on UAE territory. Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said that three cruise missiles were detected and intercepted, as well as 101 ballistic missiles and 98 of them destroyed. Thirty-nine drones were also detected and 24 of them intercepted.

In addition to the military targets, Iran has also targeted civilian infrastructure in several Gulf countries. The US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones on Tuesday, causing a small fire and minor damage. Kuwait’s Defence Ministry stated that a “treacherous Iranian attack” targeted the US embassy building, while Qatar’s state-run energy firm halted LNG production following Iranian attacks on its operational facilities.

The situation remains fluid, with multiple countries reporting interceptions of Iranian missiles and drones. The US military has suspended operations at its embassy in Kuwait until further notice due to ongoing regional tensions.

Source: Al Jazeera