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The U.S.-Israel-Iran confrontation escalated sharply Saturday as Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on multiple U.S. bases across the Gulf and Iraqi militia positions were struck in a joint U.S.-Israel operation.

U.S. bases hit in the Gulf

Iran’s Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that four major U.S. military bases were attacked simultaneously in what it described as heavy ballistic missile strikes carried out by the IRGC.

According to the agency, the targeted installations include Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, As-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

Authorities said one person was killed in Abu Dhabi following the missile interception. Further details regarding the circumstances of the fatality were not immediately released.

Fox News, citing a U.S. official, said the strike targeting the U.S. base in Bahrain did not cause any casualties. 

Iraqi militias hit in U.S.-Israel operation

Six airstrikes launched by a joint U.S.-Israel operation targeted positions belonging to Iraqi militias in the Jurf al-Sakhar area of Babil province, south of Baghdad, according to Al Hadath. At least two Iraqi Hashid Shaabi fighters were killed and three others seriously wounded after at least four explosions occurred, a Popular Mobilization Forces spokesperson told Reuters.

Jurf al-Sakhar is considered a strategic stronghold for Iran-aligned armed factions operating under Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella, making it a highly sensitive flashpoint in any U.S.-Iran escalation.

Following the strike, Kataeb Hezbollah warned in a statement "we will soon begin attacking American bases in response to their aggression.”

Soon after, Kurdish security forces said a U.S.-led coalition forces downed several missiles and explosive-laden drones over the city of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region.

The strikes came after Kataeb Hezbollah, one of the most powerful Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups, warned that its fighters must prepare for a “long war of attrition” in the event of U.S. military action against Iran.

Iraqi militias have signaled readiness. A commander in one armed faction told AFP his group was “highly likely” to intervene if Iran were struck, adding that any attack on Tehran directly threatens their strategic interests. 

Iran-backed Houthis Set to Resume Attacks

Two senior Houthi officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Iranian-backed Houthis will resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. 

One of the officials said the rebels’ first attack could come as soon as “tonight.”

Jordan confronts attacks 'successfully'

Jordan's armed forces said they had successfully intercepted 13 ballistic missiles since Saturday morning in an operation that resulted in damage but no casualties.

"The armed forces engaged 49 drones and ballistic missiles targeting Jordanian territory today," a military source said in a statement, adding that "13 ballistic missiles were successfully intercepted by Jordanian air defence systems, while drones were shot down".

The statement said "the interception operation resulted in material damage but no casualties".

Jordan's foreign ministry on Saturday strongly condemned Iran's attacks on the kingdom as well as the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, stressing the "need for restraint" in the conflict. The ministry underscored "the need for restraint and the adoption of diplomatic solutions and dialogue".