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The Governments of the United States of America and Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates released a joint statement on the occasion of recent missile and drone attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran across the region.
“The United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates strongly condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran’s indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks against sovereign territories across the region, including Bahrain, Iraq — including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region — Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. These unjustified strikes targeted sovereign territory, endangered civilian populations, and damaged civilian infrastructure. The Islamic Republic’s actions represent a dangerous escalation that violates the sovereignty of multiple states and threatens regional stability. The targeting of civilians and of countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilizing behavior. We stand united in defense of our citizens, sovereignty, and territory, and reaffirm our right to self-defense in the face of these attacks. We remain committed to regional security and commend the effective air and missile defense cooperation that has prevented far greater loss of life and destruction,” the statement posted on the U.S. State Department website reads.
The U.S. and Israel launched their attack on Iran on Saturday, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompting Iran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) earlier said it was targeting U.S. bases and assets in the region, as well as Israel, as part of operation "Truthful Promise 4", in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli joint attack.
In Doha, Qatar, footage showed dozens of people fleeing from a falling missile in a residential area. Dubai's international airport sustained damage during an Iranian retaliatory attack on sites across the Arab Gulf states, while Abu Dhabi and Kuwait's international airports were also hit, Reuters reported. Authorities in Bahrain confirmed an attack on the US naval base, known officially as Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the BBC reported. Explosions were heard in Kuwait.
Residents of Tel Aviv reported hearing loud explosions, which were either from missile strikes or defence system interceptions, Al Jazeera reported. At least nine people have died in Iran’s missile strike on the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh.
As of Sunday morning, the Iranian Red Crescent Society and official state-linked media have reported preliminary casualty figures of 201 people killed and at least 747 injured in Iran as rescue operations continue.
Three U.S. soldiers have been killed in action and five seriously wounded by Iranian counter-attacks.