Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict Spreads Across the Gulf Region
Bahrain: Attack on Residential Areas in Manama
The conflict between Israel and Iran has now extended throughout the Gulf region. On Friday, Iran targeted the capital of Bahrain, Manama, while Qatar intercepted drones intruding into its airspace. As the war enters its seventh day, tensions are at an all-time high, leading to a significant spike in oil prices.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry confirmed that Iranian strikes hit a hotel and two residential buildings in Manama. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties from this attack. A fire broke out in one of the residential structures but has since been extinguished. Bahrain also claimed to have thwarted at least two drone attacks in the Al-Kharg province and the eastern region. Just a day prior, Iran launched a missile attack on Bahrain's main government oil refinery, resulting in a massive fire.
Qatar Intercepts Drone Targeting Al Udeid Air Base
Meanwhile, Qatar announced on Friday morning that it had intercepted a drone attack aimed at the Al Udeid Air Base. On the seventh day of the conflict in the Middle East, Iran fired additional missiles at Israeli and US bases. Israel reported multiple incoming attacks on Thursday morning and stated that it was successfully intercepting the missiles.
Israel Launches Attacks Against Hezbollah in Lebanon
In a related development, the Israeli military announced that it has initiated new strikes against the Hezbollah militant group, which is backed by Iran, in Lebanon. According to Lebanon's Health Ministry and state news agency, at least eight individuals were killed from late Wednesday to Thursday.
Tehran Warns of Destruction in the Middle East
Tehran has issued warnings regarding the destruction of military and economic infrastructure in the Middle East, with the ongoing war causing turmoil in financial markets, particularly affecting oil prices. Oil prices began to rise again on Thursday morning. Officials from these countries report that at least 1,230 people have died in Iran, over 70 in Lebanon, and nearly a dozen in Israel. Additionally, six US soldiers have been killed.
US Closes Embassy in Kuwait
This marks the second diplomatic mission to completely halt operations since the onset of the Iran conflict. A statement regarding the embassy's status in Kuwait City noted, 'While there are no reports of injuries to US personnel, the safety of Americans abroad remains the highest priority for the US Department of State.'
Shortly before this announcement, the Department stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had expressed condolences to Kuwait's Foreign Minister over the deaths of at least two Kuwaiti soldiers in Iranian retaliatory attacks. Although many US embassies and consulates in the Middle East have closed to the public since the war began, only the consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, has ceased operations.