Iran Claims Strike on US Base in Bahrain, Amid Widespread Counterattacks.
Iranian forces say they have struck a US naval base in Bahrain, as Iran launched strikes throughout the Middle East in retaliation for a "massive" and continuing offensive against it by the United States and Israeli forces.
Large columns of dark smoke were observed billowing from an area in the area of the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The full scale of any destruction is uncertain and the United States has not commented.
Missile Defenses Activated
In other parts of the Middle East, the UAE, Qatar and the State of Kuwait - which all house US military bases - said they have shot down incoming projectiles in their airspace.
In the Qatari capital, the Qatari Ministry of Defence said it had intercepted a number of projectiles seemingly aimed at the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American base in the region.
Iran's Declared Retaliation
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement it was targeting US bases and assets as part of military campaign "Truthful Promise 4", in reprisal for the offensive on the Islamic Republic initiated by the US and Israel on Saturday.
That US-Israeli operation - launched at around 06:15 GMT - has so far struck locations associated with the Tehran's leadership, with US President Donald Trump encouraging the people of Iran to revolt against the leadership.
Wider Impacts
In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across the country after the Israeli military reported it had detected an incoming Iranian missile barrage.
The defence ministry of the UAE stated that the nation has been subjected to a "a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles".
"UAE air defence systems responded to the projectiles with notable success and successfully intercepted a number of missiles," the statement continued.
Officials reported debris landed in a neighborhood in Abu Dhabi, resulting in some property damage and killing a civilian.
The United States Air Force operates from Al Dhafra Air Base, to the south of the Emirati capital, along with the Emirati Air Force.
