Iran Strikes Back at US Bases and Allies Across Mideast

Iran has launched a series of retaliatory strikes against US bases and allies across the Middle East, targeting areas in Israel and several Gulf countries, in response to a US and Israeli attack. The strikes come after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a war against Iran, citing the country as a danger to their nations.

According to reports, the Iranian forces have struck a US naval base in Bahrain, with huge plumes of black smoke seen rising from the area near the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama. The extent of any damage is unclear, and the US has not commented on the attack.

The Emirati government has also reported that at least one person was killed from falling missile debris, following waves of retaliatory strikes in Israel and across several Gulf countries on Saturday.

The US and Israel's decision to launch a war against Iran has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it has no mandate and no clear objective. The attack has been described as a "war of choice" rather than a response to an imminent threat.

Jeremy Bowen, International Editor, notes that the decision by the US and Israel to plunge into a new war with Iran creates a highly dangerous moment with unpredictable consequences. "The evidence is that this is not a response to an imminent threat, which the word pre-emption implies. Instead, it is a war of choice," he said.

The US and Israel have calculated that the Islamic regime in Iran is vulnerable, dealing with a severe economic crisis, the fallout from the brutal crackdown on protesters at the start of the year, and with defenses still badly damaged by last summer's war. Their conclusion seems to have been that this was an opportunity that should not be squandered.

However, the attack has been widely condemned, with many arguing that it is a clear violation of international law. Julian Borger notes that Trump's unprovoked attack on Iran has no mandate – or legal basis, and that the US president has violated the UN charter just days into his Board of Peace era.

The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The US has about 13 military bases across the Middle East, with 30,000 to 40,000 troops normally deployed between them. Authorities in Bahrain have confirmed the attack on the US naval base, and other countries in the region, including Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait, have also reported intercepting missiles in their airspace.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains on high alert, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The US and Israel's decision to launch a war against Iran has sparked widespread condemnation, and the consequences of this action remain to be seen.

In other news, the T20 World Cup Super Eights match between India and West Indies is set to take place, with the defending champions facing off against fellow record winners West Indies for a place in the semifinals of the 2026 edition.