Iran Launches Missile Barrage Across Middle East in Retaliation as Israel Intensifies Strikes on Tehran Amid Rising Tensions

Iran has launched a wave of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, targeting locations in Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. These aggressive actions have significantly heightened tensions in the region.

In Iraq, drones have targeted oil facilities and airports. Meanwhile, U.S.-led forces have thwarted several attempted attacks near the Kurdish city of Erbil, amid alerts of potential threats to local hotels.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iranian-supported Shia groups, has claimed responsibility for an assault on a U.S. military base close to Baghdad Airport. The group stated the attack was in retaliation for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was reported killed last Saturday.

Elsewhere, hostilities between Israel and Iran continue to escalate. Overnight, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed launching a new series of strikes against what it termed “terror targets” in Beirut’s Dahiyeh District, as the conflict enters its eighth day.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran conducted its twenty-third round of strikes. Concurrently, the IDF indicated that it had detected missile launches from the region directed toward Israel.

Explosive flames and billowing smoke has been raging over Tehran after airstrikes struck Mehrabad International Airport in the early hours of this morning in a fresh wave of airstrikes on the Iranian capital.

Nine out of ten drone attacks launched towards Qatar were intercepted, with the tenth striking an uninhabited area, the country’s Ministry of Defence said, while also confirming no injuries were caused. 

Four drones heading towards the Shaybah oil field in Saudi Arabia were intercepted and destroyed over the Empty Quarter desert, officials confirmed. At the same time, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Britain ‘stood ready’ to defend its ally. 

It comes as US Air Force bombers capable of hitting enemy targets with up to 34 tonnes of explosives arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, suggesting Donald Trump’s mega-attack on Iran, previously dubbed the ‘big one’ may be imminent. 

The US President demanded Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’, later explaining that it could be when the Iranian’s ‘announce it’ or when ‘they can’t fight any longer because they don’t have anyone or anything to fight with’.

The 79-year-old, who has vowed to ‘Make Iran Great Again’ if the regime admits defeat, has come under increasing pressure to bring the conflict in the region to an end due to soaring oil prices. 

It comes as: 

• US Secretary of War Pete Hesgeth said missile attacks on Iran would ramp up dramatically and the ‘big one’ was coming;
• Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy suggested British RAF jets could now legitimately target Iran missiles sites;
• Oil prices soared as Qatar warned the war could ‘bring down the world’s economies’;
• Russia was accused of sharing intelligence to help Tehran attack allied warships and aircraft across the Middle East.
• Scotland Yard began a ‘long-running’ investigation after the ‘malign’ activities of the suspected Iranian cell aroused suspicion and a member of the Jewish community tipped off police.

Smoke and flames rise following an Israeli airstrike on Dahieh, in Beirut, South Lebanon on March 6, 2026

A massive explosion appeared to take place at an oil facility in Iraq’s Basra province 

Plumes of smoke rise into the sky amid reported explosions in Tehran on March 6

The B-1 Lancer arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening after Sir Keir Starmer gave the US permission to take ‘defensive’ action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases. 

Britain had faced stern criticism from its allies over its response to the ongoing crisis in the region, particularly regarding its defence of Cyprus, where a UK base was hit by a drone earlier this week. 

The UK government faced further backlash as HMS Dragon is not expected to be deployed until next week, while France and Greece’s military has already been sent to defend the Island. 

It is understood that the Type 45 destroyer is taking some time to prepare because it is being equipped to stay at sea for several months; however, a former diplomat, Ameer Kotecha, previously claimed British ministers were told weeks in advance that a US-Israel attack on Iran was highly likely. 

It comes after Trump mocked Sir Keir for being ‘no Winston Churchill’ in an extraordinary attack as he declared he was not happy with the Prime Minister for failing to back the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran. 

Sir Keir has continued to defend his decision to not allow the US to use British bases in their attacks on Tehran, arguing the government must keep a ‘cool head’ and the attacks and suggesting the attacks may have been unlawful. 

The Prime Minister agreed on Sunday to allow the US to launch defensive attacks on Iran from Fairford and Diego Garcia, a critical UK-US military base located in the Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile, fresh strikes, blamed on Iran, struck Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the northern Kurdistan region amid reports militants were attempting to cross the border into the country. 

Baghdad International Airport, which houses a US military base referred to as Camp Victoria ‘came under a series of attacks’ from both drones and missiles, a security official said. 

Another security source also confirmed a drone attack, followed by a fire that transpired at the airport. 

A general view of Tehran with smoke visible in the distance after explosions were reported in the city on March 06, 2026 

Rockets also targeted the facility from the Abu Ghraib area near Baghdad, Iraqi authorities said, and a vehicle containing the remaining rockets was later seized. 

Elsewhere in the southern province of Basra, an oil facility housing foreign energy companies was targeted twice, with both drones ‘shot down over the Burjesia oil complex’. 

However, a third struck the site with another oil field, as well as Basra’s airport also hit, a security source said.

Meanwhile, explosions were heard near the airport in Erbil, Kurdistan, yesterday, where the US and Israel shot down drones. 

‘The international coalition forces downed four explosive-laden drones over Erbil,’ Kurdish security forces said. ‘Debris from one of the downed drones fell’ near a hotel, and no casualties have been reported, they said.

An oil field operated by US firm HKN Energy paused production on Friday after an attack the previous day in Dohuk province after an attack was launched on the Dohuk province a day before. 

It is believed the strike was launched from Iraq, with a security source adding that two drones were used in the attack. 

On Friday, Tehran threatened to target ‘all the facilities of the region if Kurdish Iranian militants were allowed to enter Iran.

However, fresh strikes hit the Kurdish militants, an official from the exiled Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan said, adding that their ‘bases [were] under attack from the Iranian enemy. 

Meanwhile, Israel has been attacking parts of western Iran in an attempt to help Iranian Kurdish groups take control of border towns, unnamed officials told Reuters. 

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said four drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Empty Quarter desert while heading toward the Shaybah oil field.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer promised Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman that the UK is ready to back the defence of his country.

Donald Trump has said that there would be no deal with Iran unless it is an ‘unconditional surrender’, in a social media post today

The damaged Presidential complex in Tehran where the US managed to kill Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The Prime Minister told Prince bin Salman that the UK ‘stood ready’ to help defend the country.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘The Prime Minister spoke to his royal highness Mohammed bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia this evening, following the Iranian regime’s strikes on the kingdom and its partners.

‘The leaders also discussed stepping up intelligence cooperation to support defensive operations and protect civilians.

‘Turning to energy resilience, the crown prince outlined the steps the kingdom had taken to boost global oil supply and support market stability.

‘The leaders agreed to stay in close touch over the coming days and weeks.’

They also stated that extra British helicopters, fighter jets and a destroyers were being deployed to the region.

They added that Britain ‘stood ready to support the defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should it be needed’.

Questions remain over the UK’s role in the conflict, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy suggesting RAF jets could legally strike Iranian missile sites being used to attack British interests in the region. 

A second Government charter flight carrying British citizens from Oman landed at Gatwick Airport at 12.30am on Saturday as efforts to help people trapped in the war zone continue, with more flights to the UK expected to be announced.

Qatar Airways said on Friday evening that it would operate a ‘limited relief corridor’ with flights from Doha on Saturday to Heathrow, Paris, Madrid, Rome and Frankfurt.

Etihad Airways announced on Friday it would be resuming a ‘limited commercial flight schedule’ until March 19, including flights to and from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin.

More than 160,000 people in the region have registered their presence with the Foreign Office as the crisis has deepened.

It comes as an alleged Iranian spy ring was smashed by British police on Friday amid warnings that many more cells may be preparing ‘potentially violent operations’ in Britain. 

Counter-terrorism officers arrested four men with Iranian and dual British-Iranian citizenship.

They were held on suspicion of spying on synagogues and prominent individuals in the Jewish community.

Detectives believe the gang carried out surveillance at various locations in north London for months at the behest of Iran’s intelligence services.

Jewish leaders on Friday night warned of the ‘real threat’ to communities and urged security services not to underestimate the size of the problem.

Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Irvani has said 1,332 civilians have been killed in Iran in US-Israeli strikes since last Saturday.

He told reporters outside the UN headquarters in New York that women and children were among the deceased, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

‘Thousands more have been injured, and the numbers continue to rise,’ he said. He also said schools, hospitals and other civilian buildings had been ‘deliberately’ attacked.

It comes after the US denied targeting civilian infrastructure, but is probing a strike on a girls’ school in Iran. Israel has also claimed Iran has targeted civilians 

Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the UN said Donald Trump’s remarks about choosing the country’s next leader breach the principle of non-interference.

‘Iran is a sovereign and independent state,’ Iravani stated. ‘It does not accept, and will never allow, a foreign power to interfere.’

Speaking to the UN Security Council in New York, he said the diplomatic bloc must ‘act now, without delay’.

‘Failure to act will have catastrophic consequences. Today, it is Iran. Tomorrow it could be any [UN] member state.’

He also accused both the US and Israel of ‘clear war crimes and crimes against humanity’.

Vladimir Putin has also spoken with Iran’s leader Masoud Pezehkian on the phone, a statement from Putin’s office said.

During the call, the Russian leader voices his condolences over the death of Iran’s supreme leader as well as other officials and civilians in the country.

Putin voiced once again that the conflict must end immediately and that the nations must come to a diplomatic resolution.

Iran’s President expressed his gratitude for the Kremlin’s backing and also shared a detailed report of the ongoing developments in his country, the statement added.

A US B-1 aircraft was pictured arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening, where it is expected to be joined by more stealth bombers, including B-2s and B-52s

Central Tehran was rocked by a huge explosion yesterday morning as the US-Israeli alliance dropped a huge payload on the Moqaddad base of the Revolutionary Guards’ 

Both nations have agreed to continue communicating with one another, the Kremlin confirmed.

It comes as a B-1 aircraft was pictured arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening, where it is expected to be joined by more stealth bombers, including B-2s and B-52s.

The US bomber arrived after Western officials confirmed on Wednesday that the aircraft were expected at the base in the coming days and that Britain was ready to accept them.

The strategic bombers, costing up to $2billion each, can carry out long-range missions without detection while carrying the world’s most devastating missiles.

Sources have suggested that Saturday could be D-day for a new gigantic bombardment – exactly a week after America and Israel first attacked Iran as part of ‘Operation Epic Fury’.

The US President warned Iran this week that ‘the big one’ was coming, adding: ‘We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave has not even happened.’

And US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said overnight that America will now use British RAF bases to ‘dramatically’ up its strikes on Iran after the Prime Minister allowed the Americans to launch defensive strikes from UK-US bases.

‘When we say more to come, it’s more fighter squadrons, it’s more capabilities, it’s more defensive capabilities, and it’s more bomber pulses more frequently,’ Mr Hegseth said.

The 146ft B-1 Lancer has a wingspan of 137ft, weighs 86 tonnes and is the fastest bomber in the US Air Force, according to Boeing, hitting speeds of more than 900mph.

Piloted by a crew of four, ‘the Bone’ – as the aircraft is nicknamed – has advanced radar and GPS systems to help hit targets, and electronic jammers, radar warnings and a decoy system to protect it from enemies.

The B-1, which has been used in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq, can carry up to 34 tonnes of weapons and equipment.

The US Air Force says on its website: ‘Carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America’s long-range bomber force.

‘It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time.’

After a delay that saw Trump claim that Sir Keir Starmer was ‘unhelpful’ and is ‘no Winston Churchill’, the UK is now letting the US use British bases for ‘defensive’ strikes against missile facilities in Iran.

Experts believe America could drop the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ on Iran – a 10-tonne explosive that can create a 1,000ft crater when it explodes.

Trump said there would be no deal with Iran unless it is an ‘unconditional surrender’. 

He made the remarks on social media just hours after Iran’s president announced that unspecified countries had begun mediation efforts, one of the first signals of any diplomatic initiative to end the conflict.

Writing on Truth Social on Friday, the US President said: ‘There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!

‘After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.’

As Trump laid into Sir Keir for delaying access to UK military runways around the world, including in Diego Garcia, Mr Hegseth said last night: ‘We got there’.

‘The amount of firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically,’ Mr Hegseth warned.

US President Trump speaking at a round table in Washington DC on March 6, 2026

The MOAB, the US’s largest non-nuclear weapon, may be dropped in the coming days and weeks.

It has been nicknamed the ‘Mother Of All Bombs’ – a play on the acronym ‘MOAB’, which stands for ‘Massive Ordnance Air Burst’.

A crater left by the blast is believed to be more than 100ft wide. Anyone at the blast site is vaporised.

It has not yet been deployed in Iran but was used in Afghanistan in 2017.

President Trump has long told reporters at the White House how ‘very proud’ he is of it.