Explosions were reported across several Gulf cities on Monday as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran intensified and spread across the region.
Blasts were heard in Jerusalem, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama on the third day of fighting, according to local reports and witnesses. Smoke was seen rising near the US embassy in Kuwait, while the American consulate urged citizens not to approach the compound.
The escalation comes as Israeli forces launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut. Evacuation orders were issued in areas including Haret Hreik, where buildings were seen damaged following the strikes.
Iran Rejects Negotiations
Senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani said on X that Tehran would not enter negotiations with Washington.
“We will not negotiate with the United States,” he wrote.
US President Donald Trump has indicated the conflict could continue for up to four weeks. He previously said military operations were “ahead of schedule”.
Iran has reportedly fired a further wave of missiles across the Middle East, with unconfirmed reports of a drone strike targeting a US naval facility.
Casualties Confirmed
The US military confirmed that three American service members have been killed and five seriously injured, marking the first official US casualties of the conflict.
In Iran, at least 35 people were killed in US and Israeli strikes on Fars province, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim.
Iranian authorities also said at least 165 people were killed in a strike on a girls’ primary school.
China’s foreign ministry confirmed that one Chinese national was killed in Tehran. More than 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran, with Beijing urging its citizens to leave the country. The ministry said it opposed the use of force and expressed willingness to work with the international community to promote a resolution.
UK Bases Targeted
A drone strike hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus over the weekend. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was an unmanned drone that struck the runway and confirmed that “precautionary measures” were being taken.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given permission for the United States to use UK bases in connection with operations against Iran.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski criticised the decision, accusing the Prime Minister of failing to stand up to President Trump. He called for the permission to be withdrawn and for Parliament to vote on any UK involvement.
British Nationals in the Region
Ms Cooper said more than 100,000 Britons had registered their presence in the Middle East following government advice. The latest figure stands at 102,000.
The Foreign Secretary said there are an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries that have been targeted, including locations where airspace has been closed.
She urged British nationals to follow local advice, which in most cases involves remaining indoors and avoiding travel.
The Government is considering “all options” to support those affected and has deployed a rapid response team to assist the travel industry. Ms Cooper said the priority was to see airspace reopened to allow commercial flights to resume.
Oil Facility Hit in Saudi Arabia
A drone strike caused a fire at the Aramco Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia, according to reports. A source told Reuters the facility had been shut as a precaution and that the situation was under control.
British Airways Rescue Flight
British Airways operated a special Boeing 787 flight from Heathrow to Muscat to retrieve pilots and cabin crew stranded in the UAE after the outbreak of hostilities.
Flight tracking data shows the aircraft remained on the ground in Oman for approximately four hours before returning to London. The homebound flight, BA80, was expected to land shortly before 11am.
Airline staff were transported by bus from the UAE to Muscat, an area not subject to a Foreign Office no-go warning.
Thousands of British Airways passengers remain stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Foreign Office has advised British nationals to remain indoors in secure locations and avoid travel, ruling out independent journeys to Oman. Rescue flights to Muscat for passengers are understood to be under consideration.
