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The U.S.-Israel-Iran confrontation escalated sharply Saturday as Iraqi militia positions were struck and Iran reportedly launched ballistic missile attacks on multiple U.S. bases across the Gulf, while Gulf states and Jordan scrambled their defenses amid threats of further regional attacks.

Iraqi Militias Hit in Jurf al-Sakhar

Six airstrikes targeted positions belonging to Iraqi militias in the Jurf al-Sakhar area of Babil province, south of Baghdad, according to Al Hadath. The strikes reportedly caused multiple fatalities, though official casualty figures have not yet been confirmed.

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.

Rocket attacks also reportedly targeted a U.S. military base in Iraq's Kurdistan.

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. 

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. 

Gulf countries react

In an official statement, the UAE said, “The Iranian attack on our territory is a serious escalation and a cowardly act.” One person was reportedly killed in Abu Dhabi after the UAE intercepted Iranian missiles. The UAE added that it reserves the right to respond to the missile attack in accordance with international law.

For its part, Saudi Arabia said in an official statement: “We condemn the brutal Iranian attack on the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.” The statement added, “We are deploying all our capabilities to support the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.”

Iran-backed Houthis Set to Resume Attacks

Two senior Houthi officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen said they 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'

The Jordanian army announced the downing of two ballistic missiles targeting Jordanian territory, indicating that they were successfully countered by Jordanian air defense systems. 

The Directorate of Public Security in Jordan issued a statement explaining a number of guidelines regarding the security situation.