Gulf air defences intercept Iranian fire after US strikes
Qatar reported three injuries from shrapnel as Gulf states and Jordan responded to Iranian missiles and drones after US attacks on Iran.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Air defence systems in several Gulf states and Jordan intercepted Iranian missiles and drones after US forces carried out a new round of strikes inside Iran, Al Jazeera reported, citing AFP, Anadolu, AP and Reuters. The exchanges widened the conflict across a region that hosts several US military sites and sits near the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route.
The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain warned residents late Saturday and early Sunday about incoming missiles and drones, according to the report. Jordanian authorities said three Iranian missiles landed in Jordan without causing casualties.
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said three people, including a child, were hurt by falling shrapnel after attack warnings were issued to residents. The Qatari government said all projectiles aimed at the country were intercepted.
Kuwait said its military responded early Sunday to attacks on its territory. In the UAE, air defences were activated after reports of incoming missiles and drones from Iran. Bahrain sounded warning sirens three times on Sunday morning, according to Al Jazeera.
Iran claims strikes on US-linked sites
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a US radar site in Kuwait and destroyed a command-and-control centre and drone hangars at a military base in Jordan used by US forces, according to the report. Jordanian authorities did not report casualties from the missiles that fell there.
The IRGC also said it destroyed a fighter jet maintenance facility at a military base in Qatar used by the US. Qatar’s government disputed the impact of that attack, saying its defences intercepted all projectiles.
Iran said it also targeted a US aircraft carrier support and refuelling platform at the Omani port of Duqm, outside the Strait of Hormuz. Oman’s state news agency said the Musandam enclave was targeted by drones on Sunday.
The US military’s Central Command said US forces struck about 140 military targets in Iran early Sunday, according to Al Jazeera. CENTCOM said the strikes came on the third night of US attacks after Iran targeted a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ship attacked off Oman
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a container ship was attacked off Oman and that local authorities rescued the crew. CENTCOM earlier said the IRGC attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy, causing a fire and major engine room damage.
The crew left the 300-metre ship in a lifeboat, according to the report. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 11 Indian citizens were on board; 10 were rescued and one was missing. The ministry said India’s embassy in Muscat was following the situation and urged calm.
Iran said it closed the Strait of Hormuz again after a partial reopening that followed a mid-June memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington aimed at ending the war, according to Al Jazeera. Tehran said the container ship it targeted had used a route it had not approved.
Al Jazeera reported that the Strait of Hormuz remains the central dispute between the US and Iran after the US and Israel began a war against Iran in February.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.