Iran launches missiles-drones at Israel: IRGC
Staff Reporter :
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed it launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for recent US-Israeli strikes.
“In response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the occupied territories has begun,” the IRGC said. United States President Donald Trump announced that the US has begun “major combat operations” in Iran following the missile attacks claimed by Israel, reports Al Jazeera.
A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera, “All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target.
There are no red lines after this aggression, and everything is possible, including scenarios that were not previously considered.”
The official also said, “The United States and Israel have started an aggression and a war that will have wide and long-lasting repercussions.
We were not surprised by the joint American-Israeli aggression and we have a complex response with no time limit,” adding that any calls for Iran to show restraint or surrender are “unacceptable and mere wishful thinking.”
Multiple explosions have been reported in Tehran and other parts of Iran, while state media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian is “safe and sound.”
The senior official added that Israel should “prepare for what is coming, and our response will be public, and there are no red lines.”
President Pezeshkian on Thursday dismissed Trump’s accusation that Tehran was seeking the bomb, stating that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons.
Earlier this week, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told the UN Conference on Disarmament that Iran would “never seek nuclear weapons,” calling for full disarmament and peaceful nuclear energy use.
Air travel has been heavily disrupted in the region. Wizz Air suspended flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until March 7. Lufthansa canceled flights to Dubai, Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Muscat for the weekend. KLM canceled flights from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv, while Oman Air suspended flights to Baghdad.
Russia suspended all flights to Iran and Israel. Iraq closed its airspace, and Israel canceled all civilian flights.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks on Iran were aimed at removing an “existential threat,” adding that “joint action” by Israel and the US “will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands” and praised Trump for his “historic leadership.”
Tehran struck near Khamenei’s office
Explosions were reported near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office in Tehran, though it was unclear if the 86-year-old leader was present. Khamenei has not appeared publicly in recent days as tensions with the United States escalate, reports AP.
U.S. military buildup pressures Iran
The strikes came as Washington deployed a large fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region to pressure Iran into a nuclear deal.
Although Iran claims it has not enriched uranium since June, it has blocked international inspectors from sites bombed during a 12-day conflict. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press suggest Iran is assessing and possibly recovering material at some of these locations.
Missile ranges and concerns
Iran maintains a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missiles, restricting them to 2,000 kilometers, covering the Middle East and parts of eastern Europe. There is no public evidence Iran is pursuing intercontinental missiles, although the U.S. has raised concerns over its space program.
Explosions rock northern Israel
Hours after the Iranian strikes, northern Israel reported explosions as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles.
Sirens also sounded in Jordan, and several Israeli hospitals activated emergency protocols, moving patients and surgeries underground. The United Arab Emirates closed its airspace amid heightened tensions.
Blasts across Tehran and surrounding areas
Roads near Khamenei’s compound were shut down, and additional blasts were reported across Tehran. Iraq also closed its airspace. Israeli officials said the strikes targeted Iranian military, government, and intelligence sites. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attacks as aimed “to remove threats.”
Houthi rebels vow retaliation
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen pledged to resume missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel in support of Iran, with officials warning the first strike could come “as soon as tonight.”
The Houthis had paused attacks under agreements with the Trump administration and a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza last October.
Bangladesh reaffirms
neighbours in an effort to de-escalate the crisis.
The United States has signalled that it will not step into the conflict. Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump said Washington would not involve itself in the fighting.
“I could intervene if I wanted to,” Trump said when asked whether the United States would step in. “But I have a very good relationship with Pakistan.”
He added that Pakistan has “a fantastic Prime Minister and a very good general”, and that he holds both men in high regard.
While indicating that the option of involvement remains open, the US President suggested that direct American intervention was not under consideration at this stage.
Dhaka, meanwhile, has emphasised dialogue as the only sustainable solution. Rahman reiterated that Bangladesh’s foreign policy remains guided by the principle of friendship towards all and malice towards none.
During his visit to Jeddah, the foreign minister also discussed Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
He noted that, after four decades, Bangladesh is once again contesting the post and has held productive talks with OIC member states.
Separate bilateral meetings were held with representatives from Maldives, Turkey, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, several of whom expressed support for Bangladesh’s bid.
Foreign representatives also conveyed congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his recent electoral victory and expressed hope that his leadership would ensure political stability and sustained economic growth.
Reaffirming Dhaka’s longstanding stance on Palestine, the minister said Bangladesh supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He noted that the policy has remained unchanged since the tenure of former president Ziaur Rahman.
Rahman added that Bangladesh had played a strong role at the OIC meeting in advocating for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and in strengthening bilateral relations with partner countries.
He also confirmed that the destination of the Prime Minister’s first official foreign visit has yet to be finalised, though invitations have been received from several friendly nations.
Iran–Israel
Any shipping delays, spikes in war-risk insurance, or physical blockage of the strait would have immediate repercussions for Bangladesh’s energy security.
Economic risks ahead
A sustained rise in oil prices would swell the import bill and strain foreign exchange reserves. State-owned energy firms could face mounting subsidy pressures unless domestic prices are adjusted.
Higher LNG and fuel oil costs would also push up power generation expenses, weighing on industrial output and export competitiveness—especially in energy-intensive sectors—and potentially stoking inflation via higher transport and production costs.
While Bangladesh aims to diversify energy sources through renewables and alternative LNG procurement over the long term, analysts note these shifts will take time and significant investment, leaving the economy exposed in the near term to Gulf supply shocks.
US forces hosting
– Iraq –
The United States has troops in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group, but their mission is due to end by September under a deal between Washington and Baghdad.
American forces have already completed their withdrawal from facilities in federal Iraq — whose government is a close ally of Iran, but also a strategic partner of Washington — under the same agreement.
AFP journalists reported explosions near the US consulate in Arbil — the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan — on Saturday, while Iraq’s powerful pro-Iran Kataeb Hezbollah group threatened attacks on American bases. Kurdish security forces later said the US-led coalition had intercepted multiple drones and missiles over Arbil.
– Kuwait –
Kuwait has several US bases, including Camp Arifjan, the location of the forward headquarters for the US Army component of CENTCOM. The US Army also has stocks of equipment and supplies in the country.
Ali al-Salem Air Base hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, which the military describes as the “primary airlift hub and gateway for delivering combat power to joint and coalition forces” in the region. Additionally, the United States has deployed drones including MQ-9 Reapers to Kuwait.
Kuwait said its air defenses engaged incoming missiles on Saturday, while Italy’s foreign minister said an Iranian attack caused “significant damage” to the runway of a Kuwaiti air base hosting Italian air force personnel.
– Qatar –
Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar includes the forward components of CENTCOM, as well the command’s air forces and special operations forces. It also hosts rotating combat aircraft, and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which the military says includes “airlift, aerial refueling intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation assets.”
Iran fired missiles at Al Udeid last June following US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, and the Gulf emirate said an Iranian missile attack targeted its territory on Saturday.
– Syria –
The United States for years maintained troops in Syria as part of international efforts against the Islamic State group, which rose out of the country’s civil war to overrun large parts of that country and neighboring Iraq.
US forces are currently in the process of withdrawing from Syria, and three sources told AFP earlier this week that the American exit would be completed within a month.
Syrian state media said four people were killed by an Iranian missile that hit the country’s south on Saturday.
– United Arab Emirates –
Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates hosts the US 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, a force that is composed of 10 squadrons of aircraft and also includes drones such as MQ-9 Reapers.
Combat aircraft have rotated through Al Dhafra, which also hosts the US Air Forces’ hub for “advanced air warfare training.” The UAE said it had intercepted two rounds of Iranian missile attacks on Saturday, with debris from the first wave killing a civilian in Abu Dhabi.
20 of 31 Iran’s
this information. The massive joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran has escalated tensions across the Middle East, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Iranian retaliation has targeted US assets in several Gulf Arab states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, where American military bases are hosted. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for strikes against “all Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East,” vowing that the operation “will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated.”
