ISTANBUL

Qatar and Kuwait announced that they intercepted attacks launched from Iran, as regional tensions escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Qatar-based Al Jazeera television said missile attacks targeting Doha were successfully intercepted.

It said strong explosions were heard as air defense systems engaged and neutralized the incoming missiles above the city.

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said an unmanned aerial vehicle attack targeting the Mohammed Al-Ahmad Naval Base had been thwarted.

The ministry stated that air defense systems successfully intercepted the drone and confirmed that the Kuwaiti Air Force remained on high alert and was coordinating closely with other military units to respond to attacks.

US, Israeli strikes on Iran

The developments came as negotiations between Iran and the US were continuing, as Israel and the US carried out strikes on Iran early Saturday.

Israel’s Defense Ministry announced that Israel had launched a “preemptive strike” against Iran. US President Donald Trump also said Washington initiated a “major operation” targeting the Islamic Republic.

The attacks struck multiple locations in 24 provinces, including Tehran as well as Isfahan, Karaj, Qom, Tabriz, Bushehr and Kermanshah.

The Iranian Red Crescent reported that 201 people had been killed and 747 injured in the strikes.

Iran’s military announced it had launched retaliatory attacks against Israel using ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in response to the strikes.

The Iranian army also said it carried out missile and kamikaze drone attacks targeting US bases and other sites in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Demir