Iran launched missile and drone strikes<\/u> targeting U.S. military facilities in multiple Middle Eastern countries Friday, retaliating after coordinated U.S.\u2013Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites.<\/p>\n
Explosions were reported in or near areas hosting American forces in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan<\/u>, according to regional officials and state media accounts. Several of those governments said their air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles.<\/p>\n
It remains unclear whether any U.S. service members were killed or injured, and the extent of potential damage to American facilities has not yet been confirmed. U.S. officials have not publicly released casualty figures or formal damage assessments.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described the operation as a direct response to what Tehran called ‘aggression’ against Iranian territory earlier in the day. Iranian officials claimed they targeted U.S. military infrastructure and command facilities.<\/p>\n
The United States military earlier carried out strikes against what officials described as high-value Iranian targets, including IRGC facilities, naval assets and underground sites believed to be associated with Iran\u2019s nuclear program. One U.S. official told Fox News that American forces had ‘suppressed’ Iranian air defenses in the initial wave of strikes.<\/p>\n
Tomahawk cruise missiles were used in the opening phase of the U.S. operation, according to a U.S. official. The campaign was described as a multi-geographic operation designed to overwhelm Iran\u2019s defensive capabilities and could continue for multiple days. Officials also indicated the U.S. employed one-way attack drones in combat for the first time.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s retaliatory barrage targeted countries that host American forces, including Bahrain \u2014 home to the U.S. Navy\u2019s Fifth Fleet \u2014 as well as Qatar\u2019s Al Udeid Air Base and the UAE\u2019s Al Dhafra Air Base. Authorities in those nations reported intercepting many of the incoming missiles. At least one civilian was killed in the UAE by falling debris, according to local authorities.<\/p>\n
Iranian officials characterized their response as proportionate and warned of additional action if strikes continue. A senior U.S. official described the Iranian retaliation<\/u> as ‘ineffective,’ though independent assessments of the overall impact are still developing.<\/p>\n
Regional governments condemned the strikes on their territory as violations of sovereignty, raising the risk that additional countries could become directly involved if escalation continues.<\/p>\n
The situation remains fluid, with military and diplomatic channels active across the region. Pentagon officials are expected to provide further updates as damage assessments and casualty reviews are completed.<\/p>\n
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report. <\/i><\/p>\n