Gulf Cities Hit by Fresh Explosions as Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes Continue

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Fresh blasts were heard across Dubai, Doha and Manama on Sunday morning as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes following U.S. and Israeli attacks that killed the country’s supreme leader and other senior officials.

Reporters from Agence France-Presse heard explosions in Dubai, Manama and Doha, where thick black smoke was seen rising on the southern horizon of the Qatari capital. Shortly afterwards, another wave of blasts was heard in Dubai.

The latest explosions followed a day of Iranian strikes on Abu Dhabi, as well as attacks on military bases and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf — with the exception of Oman, which has acted as a mediator.

The strikes have heightened fears of a wider regional conflict and shaken a region long viewed as a relative haven of stability in the Middle East.

On Saturday, Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones at the United Arab Emirates, the UAE defence ministry said. Fires and smoke were reported at major landmarks including Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab.

At Abu Dhabi’s airport, at least one person was killed and seven others were wounded during what authorities described as an “incident”. Airports in Dubai and Kuwait were also hit.

In Qatar, officials said Iran launched 65 missiles and 12 drones towards the country, most of which were intercepted. Eight people were injured, including one in critical condition.

On the first day of the strikes, witnesses reported smoke rising from U.S. bases in Abu Dhabi and Manama, home to the U.S. Navy’s United States Fifth Fleet, with additional U.S. bases also targeted in Kuwait.

The oil- and gas-rich Arab monarchies across the Gulf from Iran are long-standing allies of the United States and host several American military facilities.

In Manama, drones and shrapnel struck residential buildings, with social media footage showing smoke and fire rising from high-rise towers.

Saturday’s unprecedented barrage also targeted Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the region, as well as areas around Riyadh and eastern Saudi Arabia.

Photo Credit: AFP