Iran Attacks Israel and Gulf States

Iran launched a series of attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The strikes targeted energy infrastructure and residential areas, causing casualties and disrupting oil production.

The Iranian attacks included missile and drone strikes that prompted air raid sirens in Dubai and Jerusalem. In Bahrain, a residential building in Manama was hit, killing a 29-year-old woman and wounding eight others. Saudi Arabia reported destroying two drones over its oil-rich eastern region, while Kuwait's National Guard shot down six drones.

In the United Arab Emirates, firefighters battled a blaze in the industrial city of Ruwais — home to petrochemical plants — after an Iranian drone strike, officials said. No injuries were reported. Sirens also sounded in Jerusalem, and sounds of explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv as Israel's defense systems worked to intercept barrages from Iran.

At the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Tuesday 'will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran: The most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes, intelligence more refined and better than ever.' Shortly before the statement, he said 'the last 24 hours have seen Iran fire the lowest amount of missiles they have fired yet.'

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said U.S. forces hit more than 5,000 targets, and that their three objectives included destruction of Iranian ballistic missile and drone capability; hitting Iran's navy to allow movement through the Strait of Hormuz; and hitting 'deeper into Iran’s military and industrial base.'

The rhetoric was equally sharp from Tehran. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said on X that Iran was 'definitely not looking for a ceasefire.' We believe that the aggressor should be punched in the mouth so that he learns a lesson so that he will never think of attacking our beloved Iran again,' he said.

Another top Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, appeared to threaten U.S. President Donald Trump himself, writing on X that 'Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.'

Witnesses reported hearing several explosions in Tehran in the afternoon as Israel commenced a new wave of airstrikes.

Along with firing missiles and drones at Israel and at American bases in the region, Iran has also been targeting energy infrastructure and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for traded oil, sending oil prices soaring. The attacks appear aimed at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the U.S. and Israel to end their strikes.

Brent crude, the international standard, spiked to nearly $120 on Monday before falling back but was still at around $90 a barrel on Tuesday, nearly 24% higher than when the war started on Feb. 28.

U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the duration of the conflict but threatened severe retaliation if Iran disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue strikes on Iran, aiming to pressure the Iranian people against their government.