IRGC Launches 5 Missiles at US Base in Iraq; UAE Mission Hit in Drone Strike

In a formal statement, the IRGC's public relations office declared that it hit "the headquarters of the US Army at the Harir Air Base in Erbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan."

The military wing further specified the scale of the operation, noting that "five missiles were launched against the military site," the statement added.

As highlighted in the Al Jazeera report, this strike represents a significant escalation in the ongoing regional confrontation. The Harir Air Base serves as a vital hub for international coalition forces, making the targeting of the army headquarters a deliberate move against US command capabilities.

The volatility in the region extended to diplomatic premises early Tuesday, as a mission of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was targeted in a drone strike. This assault occurred just hours after the Gulf nation voiced its frustration over being targeted "unfairly" in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The UAE's consulate in Iraq's Kurdish region sustained structural damage during the aerial assault; however, according to official reports, there were "no casualties" resulting from the incident.

This attack follows a significant escalation in regional tensions, initially triggered by joint US and Israeli military operations against Iran that commenced on February 28.

Responding to the strike, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the act represented a "dangerous escalation and a threat to regional security and stability."

The ministry further emphasised that "targeting diplomatic missions and premises constitutes a flagrant violation of all international norms and laws."

While the UAE has strongly condemned the breach of diplomatic immunity, the foreign ministry did not specify the origin of the drone or identify the party responsible for the launch.

Tuesday morning's strike comes after the UAE had officially complained on Monday that it was being targeted "in a very unwarranted manner," maintaining that it does not wish to be drawn into the hostilities and has not participated in attacks against Iran.

In a move to bolster the Gulf nation's defensive capabilities amidst these rising threats, Australia has announced the deployment of military assets to the UAE.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Monday that Australia would be sending missiles and aircraft to the region as a precautionary measure.

"Our involvement is purely defensive," Albanese told reporters, explaining that the decision was made "in defence of Australians who are in the region, as well as in defence of our friends in the United Arab Emirates."

As part of this deployment, Australia will send a Boeing-manufactured E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system aircraft.

The plane is expected to operate for an initial four-week period to monitor and protect the airspace above Gulf nations.

Additionally, the Prime Minister stated that advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles would be supplied to the UAE following a high-level telephone conversation with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The broader conflict has now surpassed the 10-day mark, but US President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that the military campaign could reach a conclusion in the near future.

"We are putting an end to all of this threat once and for all, and the result will be lower oil prices, oil and gas prices for American families," the US President said.

Later that day, the President further characterised the military operations in Iran as a temporary measure, describing the intervention as a "short-term excursion" intended to address regional threats.

"We took a little excursion [to the Middle East] to get rid of some evil. And I think you will see it is going to be a short-term excursion," Trump added.

- ANI