Tehran: Tensions across West Asia escalated sharply on Tuesday as Israel launched a new round of strikes targeting Tehran and parts of Lebanon, while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks that reached Gulf nations, including the UAE and Qatar.
Residents in Dubai and Doha reported hearing loud explosions in the early hours as air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming projectiles. Authorities in Dubai temporarily suspended airspace operations, citing ongoing responses to aerial threats in and around the city, a key global aviation hub.
The Israeli military confirmed it had initiated what it described as a “broad wave” of strikes across Iran’s capital, intensifying its offensive amid the ongoing conflict. At the same time, operations were expanded in Lebanon, where Iran-backed group Hezbollah has been engaged in cross-border hostilities with Israeli forces.
Israeli officials also reported multiple missile barrages launched by Iran toward its territory before dawn, including strikes aimed at Tel Aviv and surrounding regions. In the north, Hezbollah fighters were said to have fired rockets toward Israeli positions, further widening the scope of the confrontation.
Meanwhile, Iran’s retaliation extended beyond Israel, with strikes targeting critical infrastructure in Gulf countries. An oil facility in Fujairah, located along the Gulf of Oman, was hit in a drone attack. According to official reports, no casualties were recorded, though the incident raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of energy assets in the region.
The intensifying conflict has heightened fears of broader instability, particularly as key economic and transport centres come under threat. Analysts warn that continued attacks on energy infrastructure could have ripple effects on global oil markets and international trade routes.
With both sides showing no signs of de-escalation, the situation remains volatile, leaving civilians across multiple countries bracing for further developments in an increasingly complex regional conflict.
