Tehran launches strikes on U.S. bases in Gulf states after joint U.S.-Israeli operation.

In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remains alive. He also said two military commanders were killed in the bombings, but senior government officials survived.

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“His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are in good health. Most officials are also safe, and only one or two commanders were shaheed,” he said.

Earlier, Iran expanded its military response to U.S. bases across the Middle East following the operation launched by the United States and Israel against its territory on Saturday morning, which has left dozens dead in Iran, including 53 girls at an elementary school.

So far, Iran has launched at least six waves of missiles against Israel, setting off alarms again in the center of the country, including in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The attacks came after Israel and the United States launched strikes early Saturday against targets in Tehran and other cities, including Tabriz, in the northwest, and Isfahan, in central Iran.

In retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli bombings, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched attacks on U.S. bases in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“The Revolutionary Guard’s missiles and drones severely struck the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and other U.S. bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as military and security centers in the heart of the occupied territories,” the IRGC said.

Targets in Saudi Arabia were also hit. Saudi Arabia condemned the Iranian response against Persian Gulf countries.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where the main U.S. military base in the region is located, said they reserve the right to respond to Iranian actions and to take all necessary measures to protect their territory.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – Xinhua

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