US and Israel Attack Iran, Conflict Spreads Across the Persian Gulf

On March 1, the United States and Israel continued airstrikes on Iran, while Iran retaliated against US military bases and Israeli targets in the Middle East. The conflict has now spread across the entire Persian Gulf. Local people interviewed by Xinhua News Agency reporters generally expressed their hope for an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of regional peace.

Over the past two days, Xinhua reporters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, have repeatedly heard loud explosions. On February 28, as an international aviation hub, Dubai saw both of its major airports suspend all flights. Online videos showed smoke and debris at one of Dubai International Airport's terminals after it was hit by a missile, with personnel being evacuated and 4 reported injuries. Dubai's iconic Burj Al Arab hotel and a hotel on the Palm Jumeirah also caught fire as a result of the attacks. On the same day at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the UAE capital, an Iranian drone was intercepted and crashed, resulting in 1 death and 7 injuries. Over the past two days, reporters observed noticeably fewer pedestrians and vehicles on Dubai’s streets. On March 1, the UAE Ministry of Defense reported that Iran's retaliation had caused 3 deaths and 58 injuries in the UAE.

On the evening of March 1, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the recall of its ambassador and all diplomatic staff from Iran.

Over the past two days, reporters witnessed a significant decrease in traffic and pedestrian flow in various parts of Kuwait. On February 28, Kuwait closed its airspace and the important Shuaiba commercial port suspended operations that evening. That day, an air force base in northwest Kuwait was hit by several ballistic missiles, lightly injuring 3 Kuwaiti soldiers; a naval base in southern Kuwait was attacked by a drone; and Kuwait International Airport was affected by a drone attack that lightly injured several staff. On March 1, Kuwait’s Ministry of Health said Iran’s counterattacks against the US and Israel had caused 1 death and 32 injuries in Kuwait.

On March 1, multiple explosions from intercepted missiles were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Over the past two days, although the vast majority of missiles targeting US bases in Qatar were intercepted, debris still caused fires in several locations, resulting in 16 injuries.

In the past two days, Iran has continued to launch missiles at the US Navy Fifth Fleet base located in Bahrain's capital Manama. Residents of the area around the base have been evacuated. Bahrain International Airport and several residential buildings have also been affected. When missiles were intercepted, significant shaking was felt in many residential buildings. Bahrain's airspace has been closed and traffic in the capital has significantly decreased. As of the early hours of March 1, officials reported 4 injuries in Bahrain.

According to Bahraini media on March 2, intercepted missile debris caused a fire on a boat in Salman City, resulting in 1 death and 2 serious injuries.

Over the past two days, the city center of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, has remained generally calm, with daily life largely unaffected. However, since February 28, Saudia Airlines has temporarily cancelled flights to and from several neighboring countries. According to Saudi officials, on February 28, Iran targeted US military installations in Riyadh Province and the Eastern Province; all missiles were intercepted. Reporters in Riyadh did not hear any significant explosions, but some citizens reported hearing several loud bangs in the northeast of the city.

Iraq, a neighbor of Iran, has also been affected by the current military action. On the morning of February 28, Babylon Province in central Iraq was hit by airstrikes. According to sources, a command post of the Iran-affiliated militia group "Popular Mobilization Forces" was targeted by US-Israeli airstrikes, resulting in at least 2 deaths. Later that day, multiple explosions were reported in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan autonomous region in northern Iraq. Television footage showed explosions occurring near a US military base adjacent to Erbil International Airport and near the US Consulate General in Erbil.

On March 1, the "Popular Mobilization Forces" confirmed that 4 of its members were killed in a US-Israeli joint airstrike in Diyala province, Iraq, that day.

On March 1, Jordan's capital Amman remained generally calm, and daily life was largely unaffected. However, on February 28, reporters in Amman heard multiple explosions and sirens. In Amman and several other areas of Jordan, falling debris from intercepted missiles caused property damage but no casualties. Jordan has not closed its airspace.

The Palestinian West Bank borders Israel. Over the past two days, reporters based in Ramallah, a city in the West Bank, repeatedly heard explosions and air raid sirens coming from Israel, and saw streaks of light in the sky from intercepted missiles. Sometimes, the explosions made doors and windows shake in the reporters’ residences. Their phones frequently received safety alerts.