By The South Asia Times

DUBAI - Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israel and US military bases across the Middle East on Saturday, hours after Washington and Tel Aviv carried out joint strikes on Iranian territory, dramatically escalating regional tensions.

 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they initiated a large-scale wave of missile and drone strikes in response to what Tehran called a violation of its sovereignty.

Israeli media reported that dozens of Iranian missiles were fired toward Israel, with several impacting areas, including Tel Aviv.

 

Buildings were destroyed, including what Israeli sources described as military installations.

 

The Israeli army warned that a second barrage of missiles was expected later in the night and declared a nationwide state of emergency under the operation dubbed “Lion’s Roar.”

 

In addition to Israel, Iranian retaliation reportedly targeted US military bases in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, where American forces maintain strategic assets.

 

Explosions were also reported in parts of Iraq, including Babil province, where Iraqi authorities said two people were killed and three were injured in a strike near Jurf al-Nasr.

 

Iraqi media said a site linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces was hit. Airspace was closed in multiple countries as a precaution.

 

The escalation followed a joint US-Israeli operation early Saturday that both governments said was aimed at removing “threats” posed by Iran.

 

Israeli officials claimed that they targeted senior Iranian political and military figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

However, Iranian officials said both leaders are safe, and they already moved to safe places.

 

 

Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that five students were killed after a girls’ primary school in Minab, in Hormozgan province, was struck during Israeli attacks. Provincial officials confirmed the school was hit, though further details were not immediately available.

 

The developments come as nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran were ongoing under Oman’s mediation, with the latest round held in Geneva on Thursday. Tehran said the attacks undermined diplomatic efforts and vowed continued self-defense.

 

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said Iranian officials had informed Baghdad that future responses could target US military bases in the region.

 

International reaction has been largely critical of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Pakistan, Malaysia, and several other Asian nations condemned the attacks, warning of serious consequences for regional stability and global peace.

 

In contrast, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was the only leader who expressed support for US actions.