Iran strikes escalate across Gulf amid widening conflict

TEHRAN (Web Desk)- Tensions across the Middle East intensified on Tuesday as Iran continued launching drone and missile strikes targeting US-linked assets throughout the Gulf region. The escalation comes amid strong remarks from Donald Trump, who criticized Washington’s allies for their limited involvement in confronting Tehran.

In Baghdad, a drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy early in the day. Witnesses reported explosions and plumes of smoke rising from the heavily fortified Green Zone, while air defense systems intercepted incoming threats. A separate strike hit a residential building reportedly hosting Iranian advisors, killing four people and further drawing Iraq into the widening conflict.

The violence extended beyond Iraq. In Doha, multiple explosions were heard, following a series of missile and drone attacks in recent days. Gulf countries, including Qatar, have increasingly come under fire as Iran responds to joint US and Israeli military actions.

In the Abu Dhabi, falling debris from an intercepted missile killed a پاکستانی national in the Bani Yas area. Nearby Dubai also experienced explosions after residents received emergency alerts warning of potential missile threats.

Maritime security concerns also grew after a tanker near Oman was struck by an unidentified projectile. While only minor damage was reported, the incident adds to fears over shipping safety near the critical Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict has taken a toll on US forces, with around 200 troops injured across multiple countries including Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, according to US Central Command. Most injuries were minor, though several were classified as serious.

Meanwhile, attacks in Baghdad also targeted key sites, including the Al-Rasheed Hotel inside the Green Zone, which briefly caught fire after being hit by a drone. No casualties were reported, but the incident highlighted the vulnerability of diplomatic zones.

Iran-linked groups have also claimed casualties. Kataeb Hezbollah announced the death of a senior figure, Abu Ali al-Askari, reportedly killed in an earlier strike in Baghdad. Energy infrastructure has not been spared either, with drone attacks hitting oil facilities such as the Majnoon field in southern Iraq.

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Across the region, Gulf states have reported intercepting hundreds of drones and missiles. Saudi Arabia alone said it shot down more than 60 drones in a single night, while Bahrain and Qatar also reported large-scale interceptions.

On the diplomatic front, Donald Trump urged allies to help secure the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies. However, European nations and others showed reluctance to join a military mission, signaling divisions among Western allies.

At the same time, Israel expanded its military operations, launching strikes in Tehran and targeting positions in Beirut linked to Hezbollah. The broader conflict has displaced over a million people in Lebanon and raised fears of a prolonged regional war.