According to Al Jazeera English, explosions shook major Gulf cities on Sunday as Iran intensified retaliatory strikes against United States and Israeli interests, deepening fears that the confrontation could spiral into a broader regional war. Witnesses reported loud blasts and rising smoke in Dubai, Doha, and Manama, marking a second consecutive day of cross-border attacks in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive regions.
Residents in Doha described hearing multiple powerful explosions early in the morning, with dark plumes visible over parts of the Qatari capital. In Dubai, missile interception trails streaked across the sky as air defense systems engaged incoming projectiles. Smoke was seen rising near the Jebel Ali port area, a critical commercial hub. Bahraini authorities also confirmed explosions in Manama, where security forces were placed on heightened alert.
The strikes are part of Iran’s response to coordinated U.S.–Israeli military operations that targeted senior Iranian leadership and key military facilities. Gulf states that host American military bases — including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait — have increasingly found themselves exposed to retaliatory action as Tehran widens the geographic scope of its operations.
Airspace disruptions and precautionary measures were reported across several countries as authorities sought to reassure residents and maintain control of critical infrastructure. While interception systems have reportedly prevented wider destruction, the psychological and economic impact is mounting.See_More…