Counterstrikes continued Saturday at a U.S. Navy base in Bahrain as residential buildings off base were also attacked, following an Iranian attack that prompted a joint military response from the United States and Israel, according to reports from Stars and Stripes and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A fire broke out at The Breaker residential tower in Bahrain late Saturday, with authorities investigating whether it was caused by a drone strike, Stars and Stripes reported. The blaze occurred amid escalating tensions following strikes launched by the U.S. And Israel into Iran.
The U.S. And Israel have initiated a strike campaign within Iran, with the stated objective of toppling the Islamic Republic, according to ISW. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the launch of combat operations in a video statement, calling on the Iranian people to rise up against their regime.
Israeli officials have indicated a focus on targeting Iranian leadership, with strikes reportedly aimed at Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to both ISW and Reuters. Even as initial reports from Israel suggested Khamenei’s death, Iran has stated he is “commanding the armed forces.” The condition of Khamenei remains unconfirmed.
ISW and Axios reported that Israel claims to have killed several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasir Zadeh, and the Iranian “intelligence chief.”
In addition to targeting leadership, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had targeted “hundreds of military targets,” including missile launchers in western Iran. This action mirrors a previous instance in June 2025, when the IDF targeted Iranian missile launchers to disrupt potential retaliation, ISW noted.
The strikes have triggered widespread disruption to air travel across the Middle East. Airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi—major global transit hubs—have suspended all flight operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport announced a temporary suspension of all aircraft movement due to the closure of the country’s airspace.
Airlines are scrambling to manage the disruptions. Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to Beirut, Tel Aviv, Amman, Erbil, and Tehran until March 7, and will not utilize airspace over Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Iran until the same date. Flights to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riad, and Dammam are suspended until March 1, along with the airspace of the United Arab Emirates.
Passengers are facing significant delays and cancellations, with reports of travelers stranded for hours at airports. Emirates passenger Jaiveer Cheema reported being stuck on a plane in Dubai for five hours without food before being deplaned into a crowded terminal. Flights to the region from London and other international locations have also been canceled or diverted.
