Iran’s military said it carried out drone strikes on key Israeli security and communications facilities on Sunday, as the widening conflict in the Middle East triggered fresh missile alerts and attacks across the Gulf region.
In a statement reported by Iranian media, the army said it launched “powerful drone attacks” targeting the headquarters of Israel’s Lahav 433 special police unit and the Gilat Satellite Networks defence satellite communications centre.
Iran did not disclose the exact locations of the targets or the extent of the damage from the strikes.
The claims came as Israel reported a new barrage of Iranian missiles, with warning sirens sounding in Tel Aviv early Sunday and air defence systems activated to intercept incoming projectiles.
Iran-backed group Hezbollah said its fighters targeted an Israeli air base south of Tel Aviv on Sunday, as Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it targeted the Palmachim air base, around 140 kilometres (85 miles) from the Lebanese-Israeli border, with "an advanced missile", after claiming several other attacks on sites in northern Israel and on Israeli troops in Lebanon near the frontier.
Fresh attacks across the Gulf
Regional tensions escalated further after Iran warned residents to evacuate three major ports in the United Arab Emirates, accusing the United States of using facilities in the country to launch attacks on Iran’s key oil hub at Kharg Island.
Iran did not provide evidence for the allegation.
On Sunday morning, authorities in the UAE reported a missile attack and urged residents to remain in safe locations. Sirens also sounded in Bahrain, while Saudi Arabia said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over Riyadh and the kingdom’s eastern region.
Bahrain, which hosts the United States Fifth Fleet, said its air defences have intercepted 125 missiles and 211 drones since the conflict began.
Officials said Iranian strikes have damaged several sites there, including ports, a refinery, a hotel and a desalination plant.
Oil exports continue despite strikes
Despite the escalation, satellite imagery showed oil shipments continuing from Kharg Island, Iran’s main export terminal.
Tracking platform TankerTrackers.com said one tanker was loading oil at the terminal on Sunday, with seven more vessels waiting offshore. Five of those tankers had already loaded fuel oil, while two were awaiting cargo.
Displacement growing inside Iran
The International Organization for Migration warned that the intensifying war is forcing large numbers of civilians to flee Iranian cities.
The agency said damage to homes and critical services has pushed people toward northern provinces, which they believe are safer.
According to the UN body, people have been displaced across more than 20 provinces. Some are also leaving the country, with nearly 32,000 crossing into Afghanistan and about 4,000 entering Pakistan, even as most airports and border crossings remain closed.
Rising casualties and threats
Iran’s Health Ministry said US and Israeli strikes since the start of the war on February 28 have killed 223 women and 202 children, according to figures reported by Mizan News Agency, the judiciary’s official outlet.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society has estimated that more than 1,300 people have died in the conflict so far.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a new threat against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowing to continue pursuing him if he remains alive.
As missile launches, drone strikes and regional alerts continue, the conflict shows little sign of easing, raising fears that the fighting could draw in more countries and further destabilise the Middle East.
Source: AP/UNB, AFP, BBC