Missile launches, drone interceptions and air strikes were reported across the Middle East on Tuesday as hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States (US) entered another day, with governments issuing security alerts and statements throughout the region.

 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington DC of joining the conflict in support of Israel. In a post on X, he said: “Mr. Rubio admitted what we all knew: US has entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel. There was never any so-called Iranian ‘threat’.” 

 

He added that responsibility for “Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters. American people deserve better and should take back their country”.

 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said their forces launched drones and missiles at a US air base in Bahrain. State media reported that 20 drones and three missiles were fired at the Sheikh Isa facility at dawn. The statement claimed the base’s main command headquarters was destroyed, without releasing evidence.

 

In Saudi Arabia, the defence ministry said two drones struck the US embassy compound in Riyadh, causing a limited fire and material damage. The embassy urged American nationals to shelter in place and restricted non-essential travel to military sites. Two further explosions were later heard in the diplomatic quarter, according to Reuters sources.

 

Qatar’s defence ministry said two missiles targeting several areas were intercepted and neutralised. Kuwait’s armed forces said they were “dealing with a wave of missiles and drones” detected in the country’s airspace. 

 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said its air defence systems were responding to ballistic missiles launched from Iran.The Israeli military said it had identified missiles fired from Iran and that interception systems were operating. 

 

Oil markets reacted to the widening conflict and concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude traded at $79.44 a barrel, up 2.2 per cent, while US West Texas Intermediate rose to $72.40. 

 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would not “deliberately target” a school after 180 were killed in a strike on a girls' school. He said US objectives were to dismantle missile production and launch capabilities and to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He added that further measures would be announced to address rising energy prices.

 

US Central Command confirmed that more than 1,250 targets had been struck within 48 hours, including missile sites, naval vessels and command centres. It also confirmed that six US service members had been killed since operations began.

 

The US State Department urged Americans to leave 15 Middle Eastern countries, citing security risks, while Canada advised its citizens to depart the United Arab Emirates if possible. Qatar said it reserved the right to respond to Iranian attacks, and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that the United States “will no longer be safe” if operations continue.

 

The escalation follows joint US-Israeli strikes launched on Saturday, which Iranian media said killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran has since launched missile and drone attacks against US-linked targets across the Gulf, as airspace closures and security restrictions continue across multiple countries.