US-Israel-Iran War: Fresh explosions in Qatar and Bahrain as Iran vows to continue military ops

The Government of India is continuously monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, especially with regard to the welfare of Indian nationals who have been stranded there during transit or on short duration visits, MEA said in a statement.

"All Indian nationals in the region are advised to follow the guidelines of the local authorities as well as the advisories being issued by the Indian Embassy or Consulate in their location. Each of our Embassies and Consulates in these countries have issued detailed advisories and set up 24x7 Helplines that are assisting in addressing concerns on account of the ongoing situation," it added.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Islamic Consultative Assembly in Iran, warned that the recent attack on the country would receive what he described as a proportional response.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said the strike on a desalination plant in Iran had been carried out with support from an airbase located in a neighbouring country to the south, and warned that such actions would not go unanswered.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, confirmed that Israeli forces carried out a special operation in Lebanon to search for remains or information related to missing Israeli pilot Ron Arad.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said the mission was aimed at locating and bringing back Arad, who was captured in Lebanon about 4 decades ago.

The prime minister said the operation did not yield the results Israel had hoped for but reiterated the country’s commitment to recovering all missing personnel.

Iran said it will continue its military operations until what it described as aggression against the country stops or until the United Nations Security Council fulfils its duty by identifying those responsible.

In a statement, Iran’s foreign ministry said responding to what it called “brutal military aggression” by Israel and the United States was Tehran’s inherent right of self-defence. The ministry also said Iranian operations targeting US military bases and facilities in the region should not be interpreted as hostility towards neighbouring countries.

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, issued a thinly veiled warning to Iran, saying his country was “not easy prey” and referring to Tehran as “the enemy”, marking a departure from how the UAE has traditionally described its relationship with its Gulf neighbour.

In rare public remarks, the president, widely known as MBZ, said he “wanted to send a message to the enemy of the UAE.”

An official from the United Arab Emirates said on Saturday that the country wants Iran to immediately end its aggression against non combatant Gulf states.

“Any sort of escalation is worrying. We want to contain the war. We don’t want the war to expand. We want to start with the Iranians realizing that they are not helping themselves by attacking their whole neighbourhood and to stop there and realize that,” the official told Reuters.

Iran has struck US forces at the Jufair base in Bahrain in retaliation for American strikes on a desalination plant on Iran’s Qeshm Island, according to Iranian state media reports.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted US military installations in Bahrain as part of its response to recent American attacks. The claim has not yet been independently verified.

The Jufair area hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, a key American military facility in the Gulf region. 

Loud explosions were heard on Saturday in the Qatari capital, Doha, AFP journalists reported, as Iran continued its retaliatory strikes across the Gulf amid the ongoing regional conflict.

AFP reporters said sirens were also heard sounding in central Doha.

Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of Iran, on Saturday accused the United States of striking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island, saying the attack disrupted water supplies to 30 villages.

“The U.S. committed a blatant and desperate crime by attacking a freshwater desalination plant on Qeshm Island. Water supply in 30 villages has been impacted.

Attacking Iran’s infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences. The U.S. set this precedent, not Iran,” Araghchi said.

The United States Department of State “has completed over a dozen charter flights and has safely evacuated thousands of Americans from the Middle East,” a senior official said on Saturday.

The department has expanded its charter flight operations from the region over the past several days and will continue to increase charter flights and ground transport efforts, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said in a statement on Saturday.

Kuwait’s National Guard reported that it shot down a drone on Monday, following a recent incident in which the country’s Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted 12 Iranian drones and 14 missiles over southern Kuwait. 

An Israeli strike on the town of Shmestar in eastern Lebanon has killed six people, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The attack targeted the area in the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, and authorities said the victims include four children and a woman. The incident has heightened tensions along the Israel–Lebanon front as hostilities continue between Israel and armed groups operating in Lebanon.

The Israeli Air Force said one of its fighter jets intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Iran before it could cross into the territory of Israel. In a statement, the air force said that since the start of the ongoing operation, more than 110 unmanned aircraft launched from Iran have been successfully intercepted. The military added that its forces are continuing operations aimed at eliminating aerial threats and protecting Israeli civilians. It also said the campaign is intended to weaken what it described as the systems of the Iranian regime.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has urged residents of a northern Israeli city near the Lebanon border to evacuate immediately and move south. In a statement, Hezbollah called on civilians in Kiryat Shmona to leave the area without delay. “Warning. All residents of Kiryat Shmona are asked to evacuate immediately. Head south,” the group said.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has apologised to its Middle Eastern neighbors and pledged to stop hostile actions against them following sustained pressure from the United States and Israel. In a strongly worded statement, Trump said Iran had been “beaten badly” and was forced to back down because of what he described as relentless attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces. Trump asserted that the situation marked a historic shift in the region. He claimed it was the first time in “thousands of years” that Iran had lost to surrounding Middle Eastern countries. “Iran is no longer the bully of the Middle East,” Trump said, adding that the country had now become the “loser of the Middle East” and could remain in that position for decades unless it fully surrendered or faced collapse. He also claimed that Iranian officials had expressed gratitude toward him, saying, “Thank you President Trump,” to which he responded, “You’re welcome.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the country will stop launching missile or drone attacks on neighbouring nations unless an attack on Iran begins from their territory. According to international reports, the decision was approved by Iran’s temporary leadership council and is being seen as the first clear step towards reducing tensions after days of intense fighting in the region. Read the full story here. 

Emirates Airlines has resumed operations following the temporary suspension caused by a drone strike near Dubai. The airline confirmed via its official handle that passengers with confirmed bookings for afternoon flights can proceed to the airport, including those in transit with connecting flights. 

In a significant step towards easing regional tensions, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has apologised to neighbouring countries and announced a key decision by the country's interim leadership council. Tehran said it will not launch missile strikes or attacks against neighbouring states unless an assault on Iran originates from their territory.

Amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, Emirates has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates until further notice. The decision comes just a day after an airline spokesperson told the media that the carrier expected its operations to return to 100 per cent of the network in the coming days. The sudden suspension signals fresh disruptions to flight operations at one of the region’s busiest aviation hubs.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed his presence at the dignified transfer ceremony for six US soldiers who lost their lives in Kuwait. The service members were killed during retaliatory strikes by Iran across the Gulf, following recent joint US-Israeli military operations. In a statement released late Friday on Truth Social, the US President expressed his commitment to honouring the fallen troops. "I will be going to Dover Air Force Base tomorrow, with the First Lady and Members of my Cabinet, to pay our Highest Respect to our Great Warriors, who are returning home for the last time," Trump wrote. He concluded his tribute by stating, "GOD BLESS THEM ALL!"

At least 12 people were killed and 33 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on the town of Nabi Chit in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The latest casualties come as Lebanon has emerged as one of the most intense fronts in the wider conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Over the past week, the Israeli military has issued large-scale evacuation orders for southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Since the conflict began, more than 200 people have been killed in Lebanon and an estimated 95,000 residents have been displaced.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has initiated the 23rd phase of "Operation True Promise 4," deploying a new generation of missile technology against American regional bases and targets within the occupied territories, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported on Friday. According to a statement released by the IRGC's Public Relations Office on Friday, this latest stage of the campaign involved a "combined drone and missile strike" executed earlier in the day.

In the first post-Iran war economic shock, Pakistan government in an overnight decision has increased petrol and high-speed diesel prices by PKR 55 per litre each, the highest-ever hike. Addressing a press conference just before midnight, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced the hike with the consolation that the country has sufficient petroleum reserves.

Amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, fresh images have surfaced showing that the four sons of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are safe following the airstrikes that reportedly killed him. Earlier reports had suggested that one of his sons had been killed in the attack, but the latest information indicates that all four are alive. The four sons are identified as Mostafa Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, Masoud Khamenei and Meisam Khamenei. Photographs circulating online show them safe despite the intense bombardment.

Read the full story here

Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has attacked the United States alleging that the attack that sank IRIS Dena was a violation of international law and a war crime. Speaking at a stakeout at the UN Headquarters Iravani said, "United States committed a dangerous act of aggression at sea, nearly 2,000 miles from Iran's shore. The Iranian frigate Dena which was on the goodwill visit and upon invitation was with the Indian Navy and carrying around 130 sailors was attacked in international waters. Nearly 100 Iranian sailors were martyred. The US committed a war crime. This heinous and unlawful attack constitute a grave violation of the law and the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation."

Saudi Arabia said its air defence systems intercepted two ballistic missiles that were headed towards a major military installation near the capital Riyadh. According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, the missiles were targeting the strategically important Prince Sultan Air Base located outside Riyadh. Authorities said the threats were successfully neutralised before they could reach the base.

US Central Command has announced a major intensification of its military campaign, confirming that thousands of strikes have been conducted against targets inside Iran over the past week. In a statement released on X, the military command detailed the progress of the ongoing mission, designated as "Operation Epic Fury." "U.S. forces have struck over 3,000 targets in the first week of Operation Epic Fury, and we are not slowing down," US Central Command stated.

Flight tracking platform Flightradar24 reported that several aircraft heading to Dubai International Airport were seen flying in holding patterns above the airport. The development comes shortly after officials confirmed a minor incident linked to falling debris following an aerial interception. Earlier, the Dubai Media Office said there had been "a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception". Authorities also dismissed social media claims suggesting that an incident had occurred at Dubai International Airport, clarifying that the reports were inaccurate.

The Israeli military said it has identified missile launches heading towards the Greater Tel Aviv Area and several other parts of central Israel. Air defence systems have been activated to intercept the incoming threats, it said. Earlier, additional missiles were also detected moving towards other regions of the country, including southern Israel, as authorities warned residents to remain alert and follow safety instructions.

The US military reportedly relied heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the opening phase of its military campaign against Iran, using an advanced AI-powered system to identify and strike nearly 1,000 targets within the first 24 hours. According to a report by The Washington Post, the AI-enabled system allowed the US military to launch roughly 900 missiles at Iranian targets within just the first 12 hours of the operation. During these initial strikes, the compound of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly hit, leading to his death.

Read the full story here

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates reported an aerial interception over the city-state after several loud explosions were heard on Saturday morning. Residents said the blasts echoed across parts of the area, raising concerns of a possible attack. Later, the government's Dubai Media Office clarified that the situation was under control, saying there was "a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception has been successfully contained."

The defence minister of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s army chief met today to discuss "ways to stop these attacks" from Iran, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. "During the meeting, they discussed Iranian attacks on the kingdom within the framework of the Joint Strategic Defense Agreement between the two brotherly countries, and ways to stop these attacks, which do not serve the security and stability of the region," the agency said.

Saudi Arabia came under a wave of drone attacks early today, with targets reported near the capital Riyadh and a major oil facility. The Saudi Defence Ministry said its air defence systems successfully intercepted all drones detected entering the kingdom’s airspace. Among the key targets was the massive Shaybah oil field, located deep in the Empty Quarter desert. The field produces about one million barrels of oil per day and is operated by state energy giant Saudi Aramco, which famously describes it as the "most remote treasure on Earth."

Iranian Foreign Minister, Syed Abbas Araghchi, came down heavily on the United States on Saturday, condemning American strikes which targeted children and the innocent. He said that Iran's response would inevitably be directed at American bases and institutions. In a post on X, Araghchi accused the US of launching attacks from the "lands of our Arab friends" to target children and the innocent in Iran.

"Iran and the Arab brothers have lived side by side for centuries in a spirit of affection, friendship, and mutual respect. The American aggressors launch from the lands of our Arab friends to target children and the innocent. As for Iran's response, it will inevitably be directed at the bases of the United States and its institutions," Araghchi said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Friday and conveyed his condolences on the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. He reaffirmed Russia's stance of immediate cessation of hostilities and said that he was in constant contact with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states. The details of the telecon were shared by Russia's Foreign Ministry.

In a post on Telegram it noted, "During the telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian Vladimir Putin has once again expressed his heartfelt condolences on the assassination of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei along with his family members and the country's military and political leadership, as well as the numerous civilian casualties resulting from the United States and Israel's armed aggression against Iran."

The Indian Embassy in Doha said today that it has activated an additional set of helpline numbers to assist Indian nationals amid the developing security situation in West Asia. The Embassy shared the numbers in a post on X: i. +974 55647502 ii. +974 55362508 iii. +974 55384683 It also provided the email address-- cons.doha@mea.gov.in , noting that these remain available for all queries and assistance requests from the Indian community in Qatar.

The US State Department has approved a potential emergency arms sale to Israel worth $151.8 million, citing urgent security needs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an "emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel." According to the department, the move is aimed at strengthening the security of a key regional ally. The statement added that the proposed sale would support US foreign policy and national security goals by reinforcing Israel's role as a strategic partner contributing to political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

A scene of chaos erupted in Lebanon's capital Beirut after the Israeli Air Force launched intense airstrikes following its largest evacuation order yet for the southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh. The Israeli military urged nearly 7,00,000 residents in the area to immediately leave their homes to "save their lives", triggering massive traffic jams and panic across the city's streets.

Speaking on the ongoing conflict with Iran, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been severely crippled. He said the country's army, navy, communications systems and much of its leadership structure have been eliminated. Trump further stated that Iran’s air force has been completely wiped out and all 32 of its naval ships are now “at the bottom of the ocean,” adding that the country is already on its "third set" of leaders.

Air Canada has suspended several flights linking Canada to the Middle East amid the ongoing regional conflict. The airline has canceled its Toronto-Tel Aviv services until May 2, while flights operating between Toronto and Dubai will remain suspended at least until March 28. The decision comes as airlines continue to adjust operations due to rising security concerns linked to the escalating military situation in the region.

Following a White House event with conference commissioners and other leaders in the collegiate sports space, President Donald Trump knocked down reporters' efforts to ask him questions about the war and his decision to oust Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary. But after a reporter’s follow-up query as to why he opted to hold such an event amid other pressing issues, Trump acknowledged that "it doesn't sound very important compared to what’s happening in Iran and other places, but it is very important to me."
He said that on a scale of one to 10, he would rank U.S. military actions as "a 12 to 15." Trump also said, "We had a choice ... and we did something about it."

Lebanon's state-run news agency reported that local gunmen attempted to repel Israeli forces near the town of Nabi Chit. The agency also said Israeli warplanes were seen flying over the area during the operation. According to Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV, Israeli troops made three attempts to land in Nabi Chit, with the final attempt taking place shortly after midnight on Friday. The report added that Hezbollah fighters and local residents confronted the force inside the town, leading to a clash.

Air raid sirens rang out across Bahrain today after an Iranian attack targeted the island nation. Authorities issued an urgent alert asking residents to immediately move to safe shelters. People across several areas reported hearing the sirens as security forces monitored the situation closely. Officials urged the public to remain indoors and follow safety advisories until further updates are issued.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" that the US is "tracking everything" and factoring it into battle plans, when asked about reports that US intelligence shows Russia is providing Iran with information that could help it strike American assets in the Middle East. "The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who. And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channelled, is being confronted and confronted strongly," Hegseth was quoted as saying.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently revealed that Washington has sought Kyiv's assistance in dealing with Iranian-made Shahed drones. These drones have been widely used by Russia in Ukraine, giving Kyiv extensive experience in countering them.

The anti-drone platform being deployed by the US in the Middle East, known as Merops, uses drones to intercept other drones. The compact system can be mounted on a pickup truck and is capable of identifying hostile drones and pursuing them using artificial intelligence, even when GPS and communications are disrupted.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence said four drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Empty Quarter desert while heading towards the Shaybah oil field. The war has continued to rage in the Middle East as it has entered its eighth day today. 

American defence officials have acknowledged that countering Iran’s drone attacks has been a major challenge. While systems like Patriot and THAAD have successfully intercepted missiles, the region currently lacks sufficient tools specifically designed to stop large numbers of drones.

The United States is preparing to deploy an advanced anti-drone defence system in the Middle East to protect its forces from Iranian drones. According to US officials, the technology has already proven effective against Russian drone attacks during the war in Ukraine and will now be used to strengthen American defences in the Gulf region.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States is preparing what he described as its "biggest bombing campaign" in Iran on Friday night (local time). Speaking to FOX Business, Bessent indicated that Washington is set to significantly escalate its military operations against Tehran. His remarks come as both US and Israeli officials have signalled that the ongoing military campaign against Iran is expected to intensify further in the coming days.

Amid growing questions over whether the ongoing war with Iran is draining US weapons stockpiles, President Donald Trump said major American defence manufacturers have agreed to significantly ramp up arms production. In his social media post, Trump didn't offer details about which specific weapons would see a rise in production. He also said he has stepped up orders of more basic munitions, "which we are using, as an example, in Iran and recently used in Venezuela."

At least two drones struck energy infrastructure and facilities of US contractors in Iraq's southern Basra province, as per The Associated Press. The officials added that unmanned aerial vehicles targeted a compound housing foreign oil company offices and warehouses, triggering fires at facilities linked to US energy services firms.

The Israeli military said it has launched a "broad-scale" wave of airstrikes targeting sites in Tehran, marking a major escalation in the conflict with Iran. The announcement came shortly after the army reported detecting missiles fired from Iran toward Israel in the early hours of Saturday. As per reports, air defence systems were activated as Israeli forces worked to intercept the incoming missiles. At the same time, residents in Jerusalem reported hearing powerful, thunder-like explosions shortly after midnight (local time) as the situation intensified overnight.