US strikes Iran's missile sites; 2 killed in retaliatory Israel attack

The US used 'deep penetrator munitions' on Iranian missile sites. Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel, killing two, and launched missiles at the UAE and Kuwait. Air defenses are active across the Gulf, escalating a conflict started by the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei.

US Strikes Hardened Iranian Missile Sites

The United States carried out strikes using "multiple 5,000-pound (2267 kg) deep penetrator munitions" on Iran, targeting "hardened Iranian missile sites" along its coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. In a post shared on X, U.S. Central Command wrote, "Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait." Hours ago, U.S. forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the… pic.twitter.com/hgCSFH0cqO — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 17, 2026

Widespread Iranian Retaliation Across Region

Two Killed in Ballistic Missile Attack on Israel

Meanwhile, two people were killed in a ballistic missile attack in central Israel, according to Magen David Adom (MDA), CNN reported. Paramedics from Magen David Adom (MDA) arrived at the scene in the city of Ramat Gan and declared the death of a man and a woman who suffered severe shrapnel injuries, as per CNN.

Shrapnel from the missile also struck the city of Beni Brak, just north of Tel Aviv, lightly injuring one person, MDA said, CNN reported.

UAE Air Defences Respond to Attacks

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates' air defence systems are currently responding to missile and drone attacks originating from Iran, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The UAE Ministry of Defense said in a post on X that the sounds heard in various areas of the country were caused by air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, with fighter jets also engaging drones and loitering munitions. "The UAE's air defenses are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks coming from Iran, and the Ministry of Defense confirms that the sounds heard in various areas of the country are the result of the air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, as well as fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions. UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones," the post read. تتعامل حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية مع اعتداءات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة قادمة من إيران وتؤكد وزارة الدفاع أن الأصوات المسموعة في مناطق متفرقة من الدولة هي نتيجة اعتراض كل من منظومات الدفاع الجوي للصواريخ البالستية، والمقاتلات للطائرات المسيرة والجوالة. UAE air defences are… pic.twitter.com/uNLpE0KgNr — وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 17, 2026

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) of the UAE urged residents to remain in safe locations and follow official channels for warnings and updates. "Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates," the post read. Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates. pic.twitter.com/mzDNLmukN1 — NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 17, 2026

Meanwhile, Dubai authorities confirmed via the Dubai Media Office that the noises heard across parts of the city were the result of successful interception operations. "Authorities in Dubai confirm that the sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations. Please rely on official sources for updates," Dubai Media Office wrote on a post on X Authorities in Dubai confirm that the sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations. Please rely on official sources for updates. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 17, 2026

Bahrain and Kuwait on High Alert

Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain also stated that sirens had been sounded, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location. "The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," the X post read. The siren has been sounded .Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place — Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) March 17, 2026

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti Army said its national defence systems are currently engaging hostile missiles and drones, Al Jazeera reported.

The army confirmed that the loud blasts heard across the country were caused by successful interceptions carried out by Kuwaiti air defence batteries, according to Al Jazeera. "The Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks. The General Staff of the Army notes that if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks. Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities," Kuwait Army posted on X. تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة معادية. تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش أن أصوات الانفجارات إن سمعت فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية. يرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن الجهات المختصة.… pic.twitter.com/LFCfMSHB1y — KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) March 17, 2026

Broader Conflict Erupts

Meanwhile, heavy Israeli air attacks on Lebanon's capital, Beirut is reported by Al Jazeera.

This comes amid the escalating conflict that began on February 28 with the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel, after which Iran, in its retaliation, targeted Israeli and US assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, causing disruption in the waterway and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)