Iran launches major missile and drone offensive against Israel, US bases
Regional conflict escalates sharply as Iran's Revolutionary Guard confirms large-scale attack, Gulf states close airspace
TEHRAN (MNTV) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has confirmed it has launched a large-scale missile and drone offensive targeting Israel, describing the assault as direct retaliation for what it characterized as joint American-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.
In an official statement, the IRGC declared that “the first wave of extensive missile and drone attacks towards the occupied territories has begun,” framing the operation as a response to aggression by a “hostile and criminal enemy.”
A senior Iranian official speaking to Al Jazeera issued stark warnings alongside the announcement, saying Israel should “prepare for what is coming” and that the response would be “public, with no red lines.”
The official declared that all American and Israeli assets and interests throughout the Middle East are now “legitimate targets,” adding that the two countries had “started a war that will have wide and long-lasting repercussions.”
Any international calls for Iranian restraint, the official said, were “unacceptable and mere wishful thinking,” with scenarios “not previously considered” now firmly on the table.
The attack sent immediate shockwaves across the wider region. Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates moved swiftly to close their airspace.
Explosions were reported near the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, according to Reuters, and further blasts were heard in Kuwait, where air raid sirens were activated.
In a significant development, Bahrain confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet was struck in a missile attack.
Qatar’s Defence Ministry separately reported that one Iranian missile had been intercepted by a Patriot air defence battery.
Iran’s Fars news agency reports that Iranian missile strikes have targeted several U.S. military installations in the Gulf, including Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain.
Aviation across the region has been thrown into chaos as carriers rushed to suspend operations. Wizz Air halted all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect through at least March 7.
Lufthansa pulled its Saturday and Sunday services to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Beirut and Muscat, while KLM cancelled its Amsterdam–Tel Aviv routes.
Oman Air suspended all flights to Baghdad, Russia grounded services to both Iran and Israel, and Kuwait halted all flights to Iran until further notice.
Iraq closed its airspace entirely, cancelling all inbound and outbound flights. Israel followed suit, suspending all civilian air traffic.
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