Iran launches strikes against 6 US military bases in Gulf states
In its first major retaliatory action, Iran fired ballistic and cruise missiles at American installations in Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE.
Middle East — March 2, 2026
Iran launched ballistic and cruise missile strikes against six US military bases in Gulf states early Tuesday morning, marking Tehran's first major retaliatory action since the joint US-Israeli campaign began.
The targeted bases included Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Naval Support Activity Bahrain, and two installations in the UAE. The US military said its Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems intercepted 'a significant portion' of the incoming missiles.
US Central Command confirmed that two American service members were wounded at Al Udeid and that minor infrastructure damage occurred at several sites, but said none of the bases were operationally degraded.
Qatar's foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador and demanded 'an immediate halt to all attacks from or through Qatari airspace.' Bahrain issued a similar statement.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed credit for the strikes in a statement, calling them 'the first wave of punishment' and warning of further action if US operations in Iran continued.
Oil prices surged further on the news, with Brent crude briefly touching $118 a barrel before settling back to around $114.
