Doha: Missile and drone attacks were reported across several Gulf countries as tensions intensified following the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, according to international media reports.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that overnight strikes in Manama targeted the Financial Harbour Towers commercial complex, where the Embassy of Israel in Bahrain is located.
However, the Reuters news agency reported that an Iranian drone was intercepted and destroyed near the complex.
The escalation comes as the first week of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to expand across the wider Middle East.
In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Defence said a cruise missile was intercepted and destroyed east of the Al-Kharj Governorate, though officials provided no additional details.
Saudi authorities later reported that three drones were also intercepted east of the Riyadh region.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence of Qatar said its air defence systems successfully intercepted a drone targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, which hosts United States military assets.
Authorities in Qatar had earlier issued security alerts urging residents to remain indoors and stay away from windows and exposed areas amid heightened threat levels. Several explosions were reportedly heard in Doha on Thursday.
The conflict has also drawn reactions from European leaders. The European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and other European officials held talks with representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Brussels.
European leaders expressed solidarity with Gulf states and condemned what they described as Iranian missile and drone attacks against the region.
Elsewhere, air defence systems intercepted several drones over the Jordanian city of Irbid, according to media reports.
Analysts warn that the expanding attacks indicate the conflict is spreading across multiple countries in the region.