Iranian South Pars Gas Facilities Hit in Airstrikes, State Media Says
Iran continued to fire missiles and drones at its Gulf neighbors overnight into Wednesday, in what has now become a daily occurrence, as the war enters its 19th day.
In the United Arab Emirates, the defense ministry said it was “responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran” on four different occasions since midnight. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that an overnight Iranian strike hit Al Minhad Air Base, about 20 kilometers (13 miles) south of Dubai, where over 100 Australian soldiers are stationed along with smaller numbers of British and American personnel.
“There was minor damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility due to a small fire that was created as a result of that projectile hitting a road leading up to that base,” Albaenese said, adding that no casualties were reported. This is the second time the base has been hit, having previously been targeted by an Iranian drone.
On social media, residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi reported explosions throughout the night, which authorities attributed to interceptions. On Wednesday morning, Dubai’s media office stated the “success of all air interception operations, with no injuries reported.” The UAE said its air defenses intercepted 13 Iranian ballistic missiles and 27 attack drones on Wednesday, adding that the air defense systems have intercepted 327 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,699 drones since the Iran war began.
Saudi Arabia, which is slated to host foreign ministers from several Arab and Muslim countries to discuss the regional conflict, intercepted at least one ballistic missile and 15 drones launched by Iran overnight. While the vast majority of drones targeted the country’s eastern region, which houses critical oil infrastructure, one missile was downed near Prince Sultan Air Base, some 110 kilometers (70 miles) southeast of Riyadh. Additionally, three drones were intercepted near the capital, two of which were approaching the city’s diplomatic quarter.
A ballistic missile was fired early on Wednesday at Qatar, with the country’s defense ministry subsequently reporting that it successfully intercepted it. Explosions were heard over Doha at the time of the interception, but no injuries were reported. In neighboring Bahrain, the army said overnight that it was “actively engaging” in air defense, with the country’s interior ministry confirming that sirens were activated during this time.
In Kuwait, the national guard said it successfully intercepted seven Iranian drones launched at its territory, hours after the army announced it was “engaging hostile missile and drone attacks.”
In addition to the Gulf states, a drone attack targeted the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, according to Reuters, which also reported that an explosion was heard in the area.
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