Iranian Response: Missiles and Drones Against Israel and U.S. Bases in the Gulf

In an unprecedented escalation, the combined military forces of the United States and Israel launched massive strikes against targets inside Iranian territory this Saturday morning, marking a brutal rupture in the fragile peace dynamic in the Middle East.

Dubbed Operation Lion’s Roar by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by Washington, this coordinated offensive targeted several strategic sites in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, and other major Iranian cities. The strikes hit both military installations and civilian infrastructure, including heavily populated areas.

Explosions rocked the Iranian capital, with columns of smoke visible above Tehran from the early hours of the operation. Residents, gripped by panic, fled urban centers, while authorities ordered the closure of schools and universities.

According to Iranian media, civilians, including many children, were killed in an attack on a primary school in the south of the country. Casualty figures remain difficult to confirm, but initial reports indicate dozens of victims.

In retaliation, Iran launched a series of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israeli installations as well as U.S. military bases spread across several Gulf countries—including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Alert sirens sounded in several Israeli cities, where the population was ordered to take shelter. Iranian strikes were intercepted, although debris caused injuries and damage in some Gulf states.

Reactions were immediate and contrasting:

Russia described the strikes as an “unprovoked act of aggression” and called for an urgent ceasefire, warning that Washington and Tel Aviv risk triggering a humanitarian and economic catastrophe in the region. Brazil and Pakistan also condemned the attacks, calling for de-escalation and respect for international law. Many Gulf countries protested the Iranian attacks on their territories, denouncing violations of sovereignty.

This military operation comes as negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program were still ongoing, particularly with the support of international mediators. The diplomatic community now fears that any possibility of a peaceful resolution may be destroyed.

The United Nations Security Council has been called into emergency session, while civilian populations throughout the region are already experiencing the effects of what could become a prolonged open conflict.

Dodeley Orelus