Regional Tensions Soar: Iran Targets Eilat Amid Domestic Explosions and Widespread Attacks

The Middle East is grappling with a severe and unprecedented military escalation, as Iranian state television confirmed late last night the launch of a wave of missiles towards the city of Eilat in the occupied territories. This announcement came approximately two hours after reports emerged of powerful explosions rocking the capital Tehran and the southern city of Shiraz, according to Al Jazeera's correspondent and Iranian media outlets.

These developments coincided with Al Jazeera's correspondent confirming hearing explosions in Eilat itself, likely resulting from the interception of missiles targeting the coastal city. After 3 AM Mecca time on Sunday, air raid sirens blared across wide areas of central Israel, while the Israeli Home Front Command reported detecting missile launches towards the central region of the country, indicating a broadening scope of targets.

Iran's Response and Tehran's Statements

For its part, Iran's Tasnim news agency promptly announced that Iranian air defenses had destroyed an American "bunker-buster" cruise missile targeting Kohgiluyeh province. In a related context, Mehr news agency reported that "at least" one target was destroyed in the skies over Tehran. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters also claimed to have shot down an "Orbiter 4" drone in Tabriz, in addition to two "Hermes" drones in Tehran and Andimeshk, confirming intense aerial activity over Iranian airspace.

Meanwhile, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, citing "security assessments," reported that Iran has so far launched approximately 400 ballistic missiles towards Israel. This figure reflects the unprecedented scale of direct confrontation between the two parties.

Expanding Conflict Zone: The Gulf in the Crosshairs

The escalation was not limited to the Iranian and Israeli fronts but extended to include Gulf states that experienced similar attacks. The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced late last night the interception and destruction of two drones in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. Earlier on Saturday evening, the ministry's spokesperson had announced the interception and destruction of six ballistic missiles launched towards Al-Kharj province, confirming repeated targeting of the Kingdom. According to a tally by Anadolu Agency, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday the interception and destruction of 17 booby-trapped drones and six ballistic missiles targeting several areas in the Kingdom.

In the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported controlling a fire that erupted due to a drone attack on an oil facility in the Ruwais area last Tuesday, indicating that the attacks were not confined to recent days.

IRGC Claims Responsibility and Warns Washington

Conversely, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday evening its responsibility for targeting sites in Gulf states. The IRGC stated that it targeted what it described as "American forces at a base in Saudi Arabia's Al-Kharj province," adding that this base is used to equip "F-35 and F-16 fighter jets" and houses storage for refueling aircraft. It clarified that the "51st wave" of its operations utilized solid and liquid-fueled missiles, confirming targets included Al-Salem and Al-Azraq bases (in Kuwait and Jordan) and early warning radars that were protecting the "Zionist entity," as it described.

The IRGC issued a strong warning to Washington, emphasizing the necessity of evacuating all American industrial centers in the region. It asserted that its drones accurately identify the hiding places of US army soldiers and operate based on precise intelligence, according to its statement.

Context of Escalation and Washington's Statements

This escalation comes amidst ongoing reciprocal attacks since February 28, during which Israel and the United States have launched attacks on Iran, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and security officials. In response, Tehran has launched missiles and drones towards Israel and what it describes as "American interests" in the region. However, these attacks have also hit civilian infrastructure in regional countries, such as airports, ports, and energy facilities, raising serious concerns about the stability of the entire region.

On another front, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that it continues to degrade Iran's military capabilities. Former US President Donald Trump had previously stated, earlier on Saturday, that the United States had defeated and militarily and economically destroyed Iran, statements that further heighten regional tensions.

In the latest developments, Iranian television reported the launch of a new wave of missiles towards Eilat in the "occupied territories," coinciding with the Israeli Home Front Command's reports of air raid sirens blaring in and around Eilat in southern Israel, confirming the continuation of the heated confrontation.