Iran launches fresh strikes in Middle East

Missile alerts rang across the Gulf after Iran launched fresh strikes towards Southern Israel, prompting United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain to activate air defence systems.

Authorities said interceptions of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones triggered loud explosions across cities, while residents were urged to seek shelter.

Israel also confirmed incoming missiles and issued emergency alerts. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthis launched another wave of strikes, claiming coordination with Iran and Hezbollah.

Amid the escalating conflict, the US Central Command said it has struck over 11,000 targets in Iran, signalling a sharp intensification of military operations across the region.

Iran has also dared the United States ground forces to come over, saying they are fully prepared.

Iranian state media quoted Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Qalibaf as saying Iranian armed forces are waiting for the arrival of US ground troops.

Qalibaf also vowed to punish U.S regional partners.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal Bin Farhan were in Islamabad as part of talks scheduled days after the US offered Iran a 15-point “action list,” delivered through Pakistan as a framework for a possible peace deal.

Abdelatty said the meetings were aimed at opening a “direct dialogue” between the US and Iran, which have largely communicated through mediators during the war.

Iranian officials have publicly rejected the US framework and dismissed the idea of negotiating under pressure. Still, Press TV, the English-language arm of Iran’s state broadcaster, reported that Tehran had drafted its own five-point proposal, citing an anonymous official.

The plan reportedly calls for a halt to the killing of Iranian officials, guarantees against future attacks, reparations for the war, an end to hostilities and Iran’s “exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.”