KATHMANDU: Tensions in West Asia escalated further as missile exchanges, air strikes, and regional security concerns intensified across several countries.
Air defence systems in Gulf countries responded to attacks on Friday. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said it intercepted and destroyed 10 drones in the eastern part of the country and another in the north.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait also activated air defence systems in response to missile threats.
In Bahrain, the interior ministry said debris from what it described as “Iranian aggression” caused a fire at a warehouse. The blaze was quickly brought under control and no injuries were reported.
UAE arrests alleged network
Authorities in the UAE said they arrested at least five members of what they described as a terrorist network linked to Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
State news agency WAM reported that the group allegedly attempted to infiltrate the national economy as part of a coordinated plan with external actors connected to Hezbollah and Iran.
Israeli strikes on Tehran
The Israeli military said it launched a wave of air strikes targeting infrastructure linked to the Iranian government in Tehran.
The attacks followed overnight missile launches by Iran towards Israel.
Explosions reported over Jerusalem
Multiple rounds of missile fire were detected over Israel late Thursday night, according to the Israeli military.
AFP journalists reported hearing loud explosions above Jerusalem. Emergency service Magen David Adom said no casualties were reported, though police confirmed damage in several areas.
Macron proposes UN framework for Hormuz
French President Emmanuel Macron said France would consult permanent members of the United Nations Security Council about establishing a UN-backed framework to secure maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting subsides.
Speaking after a summit in Brussels, Macron said exploratory discussions had begun.
EU warns of migration risk
Leaders of the European Union warned the conflict could trigger a migration surge similar to the crisis in 2015.
Following talks in Brussels, EU leaders pledged to mobilise diplomatic, legal, operational, and financial tools to prevent uncontrolled migration flows into the bloc.
Qatar gas capacity hit
Qatar said attacks on its energy infrastructure would reduce its liquefied natural gas export capacity by about 17 percent.
Energy minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said some long-term LNG contracts could face force majeure for up to five years due to damage to facilities.
Netanyahu claims Iran weakened
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “winning” the war and that Iran had been significantly weakened.
He claimed Iran could no longer enrich uranium or develop ballistic missiles, though the assertion has not been independently verified.
Netanyahu also rejected accusations that Israel had drawn the United States into the conflict, referring to Donald Trump.
Dispute over gas field strike
Netanyahu said Israel had acted alone when it struck the Asaluyeh gas complex in Iran, an attack that triggered retaliation against Qatar’s main gas facilities.
Trump earlier said he had asked Israel not to conduct further such strikes.
Hormuz tensions
Netanyahu warned that attempts by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz would fail, calling it an attempt to pressure the international community by threatening a key global shipping route.
Lebanon conflict continues
In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun renewed calls for a truce and negotiations with Israel to end the conflict with Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,000 people since the war began and wounded thousands more.
Iran questions US base in Germany
Iran said it had asked Germany to clarify the role of the Ramstein Air Base in the conflict.
Iran’s ambassador to Germany said the base’s role in the war remained unclear to Tehran.
No US ground troops
Trump said the United States would not deploy ground troops to Iran.
“If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you. But I’m not putting troops,” he told reporters.
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