Explosions rocked multiple Gulf cities for a second consecutive day as Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US and allied targets following the killing of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and top military officials. The strikes, reported across Dubai, Doha, and Manama, have left at least three people dead in the UAE and stoked fears of a wider regional conflict.
In Dubai, white smoke from intercepted missiles and thick black plumes over Jebel Ali port marked the attacks, while in Qatar and Bahrain, residents reported loud blasts and rising smoke. Oman’s Duqm commercial port was also targeted by drones, injuring one expatriate worker, despite the country’s role in mediating negotiations between the US and Iran.
The Iranian Ministry of Defence said Saturday’s strikes involved over 100 missiles and drones across the UAE and Gulf states. Several facilities, including airports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Kuwait, were affected, leaving dozens injured. Iran claimed the attacks were aimed at US military assets and Israeli bases, including Tel Nof and HaKirya.
Global reactions were swift. The E3 (UK, France, Germany) condemned Iran’s strikes, pledging to defend civilians and service personnel, while Turkiye’s President Erdogan voiced concern over regional escalation. Washington warned the conflict could persist for weeks, citing the aim of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons or ballistic missile capabilities.
Meanwhile, Iran announced a three-person interim council to oversee governance after Khamenei’s death. The country has declared 40 days of mourning, extended by seven days of public holidays, as supporters took to the streets in Tehran and other cities.
The latest strikes highlight rising volatility in a region long considered a hub of relative stability, raising urgent questions about civilian safety, energy security, and the potential for broader conflict in the Middle East.
