Iranian forces have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, describing it as retaliation for what they called extensive US and Israeli assaults. Bahrain’s National Communication Center confirmed that the fleet’s service center was hit by missiles but did not specify who carried out the attack, adding that further details would be released later.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke near the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, though the extent of damage remains unclear. The US military has not issued any immediate comment. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the strike was part of its “Truthful Promise 4” operation, launched in response to earlier attacks on Iran. The assault reportedly occurred around 9:15 a.m. local time.

Regional tensions have escalated sharply, with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait reporting interception of missiles in their airspace. Qatar’s defense ministry said it successfully intercepted several missiles aimed at the Al-Udeid air base, while Israel sounded nationwide sirens amid warnings of possible Iranian strikes.

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes in Iran on Saturday, targeting the country’s religious and political leadership. The attacks have plunged the Middle East into a new phase of conflict, according to reports. Iranian authorities stated that despite the strikes, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and other top officials remain safe, with Khamenei moved to a secure location in Tehran.

Reuters reported that some Iranian military and political leaders may have been killed in the attacks. US President Donald Trump said the operation would end a security threat to the United States and offer Iranians a chance to challenge their rulers. The strikes have raised fears of escalating regional instability, as Iran reportedly launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israel.

Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and security chief Ali Larijani are unharmed. Iranian officials denied Israeli claims of successful strikes on top leaders, asserting that senior government and military figures remain in good health.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that its recent strike in Tehran targeted locations where senior Iranian political and security officials had gathered. According to the IDF, the operation had been planned for months and was executed after close coordination by military intelligence to exploit the opportunity of top Iranian leaders being in one place.

The IDF further said that conducting the attack in the morning instead of at night created a 'strategic surprise.' The statement added that the results of the strike are currently being assessed. The report cited BBC as the source of the information.

Additional reports mentioned by the source indicated that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander and the country’s defense minister were killed in Israeli attacks, while Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israel. The Iranian foreign minister also reportedly contacted ministers from six Middle Eastern countries following the events.

A joint airstrike by Israel and the United States on Saturday morning reportedly destroyed the palace of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. According to the report, the attack targeted the residences of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Ayatollah Khamenei, and several senior military and government officials.

Satellite images cited in the report showed that Khamenei’s palace had collapsed and the surrounding area was blackened, indicating a major explosion. The source of the report was identified as Al Jazeera. Additional reports claimed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander and the country’s defense minister were killed in related strikes, while Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israel in response.

The incident marks a significant escalation in hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States, with regional tensions rising as diplomatic contacts intensify across the Middle East.

Jordan’s military reported intercepting two ballistic missiles that entered its airspace before impact. The incident occurred as regional tensions intensified, with multiple explosions reported across the Middle East on Saturday. Al Jazeera said it was unclear who launched the missiles.

According to AFP, explosions were also heard in several areas of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, though authorities have not yet issued an official statement or confirmed casualties. Meanwhile, reports from international media indicated that Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes following joint attacks by Israel and the United States on the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Bahrain confirmed that its territory, including the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, was targeted.

Explosions were also reported in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, with witnesses describing smoke rising from affected areas. The situation remains fluid as regional governments assess damage and potential responses.

European unity has fractured following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with France, Norway, Spain, and Belgium publicly opposing the attacks. While most European nations have backed Washington and Tel Aviv, these four countries criticized the military action and called for a diplomatic resolution to the escalating crisis.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth said Israel’s claim of a preemptive strike was inconsistent with international law, emphasizing that such actions require an imminent threat. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressed regret that earlier diplomatic efforts had failed to prevent the conflict, stressing that Iranian civilians should not suffer for their government’s choices. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the strikes as unilateral military actions that worsen instability and undermine the international order, urging immediate de-escalation and respect for international law.

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced deep concern over the growing war situation around Iran, warning that the conflict could have severe consequences for global peace and security. He called for urgent restraint to prevent further escalation.

Oman has become the only Middle Eastern country to publicly oppose Israel’s recent attack on Iran. The strike occurred on Saturday morning while Oman was mediating indirect talks between the United States and Iran. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi expressed deep concern over the assault, saying it disrupted serious diplomatic discussions and failed to serve either U.S. interests or global peace.

In a social media post, Albusaidi said he was saddened by the attack and prayed for the innocent people affected by it. He urged the United States to avoid becoming further entangled in the conflict, emphasizing that it was not America’s war. Oman’s statement highlights its continued role as a regional mediator and its distinct stance amid rising tensions following the Israeli strike.

The comments come as Iran reportedly launched missiles and drones toward Israel and regional diplomatic contacts intensified, underscoring the fragile state of Middle Eastern security.

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed deep concern over the US-Israel attack on Iran and the escalating war-like situation surrounding the country. Speaking on February 28, 2026, he warned that such conflicts could have serious consequences for international peace and security. Macron emphasized that the current tension is dangerous for everyone and must be stopped, calling for urgent efforts to bring the situation under control.

He stated that France is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its territory, citizens, and assets in the Middle East. Macron also said France is ready to deploy military and strategic resources to protect its closest partners if requested. His remarks came amid growing regional instability following the attacks.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, Norway, and Belgium have voiced strong concern and criticism over the situation, urging diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected what he described as the “unilateral” military actions of the United States and Israel in relation to recent developments involving Iran. In a statement posted on social media platform X on February 28, 2026, Sánchez said such actions have heightened tensions and made the international system more uncertain and hostile.

Sánchez also rejected the actions of the Iranian government and the Revolutionary Guard, calling for an immediate de-escalation of the situation. He urged all parties to ensure full respect for international law. His remarks came as reports indicated that Iran had launched missiles and drones toward Israel, and regional diplomatic contacts were intensifying.

The Spanish leader’s statement underscores growing international concern over the rising instability in the Middle East and the potential for broader conflict if tensions are not reduced.

Iran has launched another missile attack on Israel, according to a statement released by the Israeli military on Saturday. The military reported that missiles fired from Iran toward Israel were detected, triggering sirens across several areas of the country. The Israeli Air Force is currently engaged in efforts to intercept the incoming missiles.

The military statement also cautioned that the defense system is not impenetrable and urged the public to follow government instructions. The report noted that Iran fired multiple missiles and drones toward Israel, escalating tensions between the two nations. The incident follows recent regional developments, including diplomatic contacts between Iran and ministers from six Middle Eastern countries.

The situation remains tense as Israel continues its defensive operations to counter the missile threat while advising citizens to remain alert and adhere to safety guidelines.

The United Nations has condemned the recent attacks on Iran carried out by the United States and Israel. In a statement issued on Saturday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk denounced the strikes and called on all parties to return to dialogue. He warned that such actions would only lead to death, destruction, and humanitarian suffering.

Türk stated that he condemned both the US and Israeli military attacks across Iran and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran. He emphasized that civilians ultimately bear the highest cost in any armed conflict. According to him, missiles and bombs are not solutions but sources of further devastation and human misery.

The UN official urged all sides to exercise restraint, act rationally, de-escalate tensions, and return to the negotiating table to prevent further harm to civilians.

World leaders have begun issuing statements following the joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent counterattack, according to Al Jazeera. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reminded that the EU has already imposed extensive sanctions against what she called Iran’s ‘murderous regime’. She urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, and fully comply with international law.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office expressed solidarity with Iranian civilians and reaffirmed the importance of respecting civil and political rights. The statement added that Meloni would consult allies and regional leaders to help reduce tensions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced support for the Iranian people’s struggle against oppression and backed US efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US and Israeli actions as reckless and violations of international law, calling for a return to political and diplomatic solutions. A UK government spokesperson said London does not want to see further escalation in the region and is prepared to protect its own interests.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran will use all its military capabilities to defend itself under the right of self-defense. According to an official statement, Araghchi held phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.

During the discussions, Araghchi emphasized that Iran would act to protect its territorial integrity and exercise its legitimate right to self-defense. The statement also noted that he reminded these countries of their responsibility not to allow their territories or facilities to be used by the United States or Israel for attacks.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of Iranian missile and drone launches toward Israel and the death of Iran’s defense minister in an Israeli strike, according to Reuters.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior announced that it has begun evacuating residents from the Juffair area, where a U.S. naval base is located. The ministry shared the information through a social media post, urging citizens to cooperate with the relevant authorities during the evacuation process.

The announcement comes as the region faces heightened instability, with reports of Iran launching missiles and drones toward Israel and other related developments involving Middle Eastern countries. The ministry did not specify the reason for the evacuation or provide further details about the situation in Juffair.

The evacuation indicates precautionary measures being taken by Bahraini authorities in response to the evolving regional security environment, though the exact trigger for the move remains undisclosed.

The United States has operated military bases across the Middle East for several decades, maintaining installations in at least 19 locations under the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). These bases, spread across countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Syria, host both military and civilian personnel totaling more than fifty thousand. The facilities include air defense systems, warplanes, and naval vessels deployed in regional waters.

Qatar’s Al Udeid base serves as the largest U.S. installation in the region and houses CENTCOM’s forward headquarters. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, while Kuwait’s Camp Arifjan and Ali Al-Salem Air Base function as key operational and logistical hubs. The United Arab Emirates’ Al Dhafra base supports intelligence and combat air operations. In Iraq and Syria, U.S. forces remain engaged primarily in counterterrorism missions, with around 2,500 troops in Iraq and 2,000 in Syria.

According to the report, Washington continues discussions with Baghdad on gradually reducing its troop presence in Iraq, while maintaining strategic positions across the region.