ASIATODAY.ID, TEHRAN — After months of mounting tension, open warfare has erupted across the Middle East.
Waves of airstrikes, missile barrages, and powerful explosions rocked the Gulf region on Saturday, marking a dramatic escalation involving Israel, Iran, and the United States.
The capital of Qatar, Doha, was shaken by fresh explosions just hours after authorities claimed their air defense systems had successfully intercepted incoming missiles.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said it had neutralized all projectiles targeting the country during what it described as the “second wave” of regional attacks.
But calm proved short-lived.
New blasts were reported on the outskirts of the city, triggering public alarm and renewed warnings for residents to seek shelter if air raid sirens sounded again. Authorities are still investigating the source of the latest explosions.
Elementary School in Minab Struck
In southern Iran, a devastating tragedy unfolded. Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that an Israeli airstrike hit a girls’ elementary school in the city of Minab, located in Hormozgan Province.
Preliminary reports indicate that five students were killed in the attack. The strike on an educational facility has sparked widespread outrage in Iran and drawn international concern, as attacks on civilian infrastructure may constitute violations of international humanitarian law.
The expansion of targets into residential and educational areas signals a dangerous new phase in a conflict that has intensified steadily since early 2026.
Iran Retaliates: Five US Bases Targeted
Within hours of the joint US–Israeli strikes, Tehran launched a large-scale retaliatory missile operation. According to Fars News Agency, Iran targeted several key US military installations across the Gulf.
The reported targets include:
– Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar
– Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait
– Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates
– The headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain
Explosions were also reported in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As of publication, there has been no official confirmation regarding casualties or the exact source of the blasts, though security levels have reportedly been raised to the highest alert.
“No Red Lines”
A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that all American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East are now considered legitimate targets.
“There are no red lines after this aggression. Anything is possible, including scenarios that were previously unthinkable,” the official said.
The statement underscores fears that the conflict is no longer limited in scope and could spiral into a full-scale regional war.
Global Repercussions Loom
The strike on a civilian school in Minab and the missile attacks on US bases have heightened international alarm.
Analysts warn that the escalation could destabilize global energy markets, disrupt major shipping routes, and trigger broader geopolitical turbulence.
Across the Gulf, civilians are living under constant tension as air defense systems remain on high alert and sirens punctuate the night.
What began as simmering hostility has now crossed a critical threshold: war has finally erupted in the heart of the Middle East. (AT Network)
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