Iran Claims Attack on American Facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Amid Regional Counterattacks.

Iran's military claims to have hit a US naval base in Manama, as Iran launched operations throughout the Middle East in response for a "massive" and continuing offensive against it by the United States and Israeli forces.

Large columns of dark smoke were observed billowing from an zone near the command center of the American Fifth Fleet in Bahrain's capital, Manama. The scope of any destruction is not yet known and the American officials has not commented.

Missile Defenses Activated

In other parts of the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait - each hosting US military bases - said they have shot down missiles in their territorial skies.

In Doha, Qatar's defence ministry announced it had successfully engaged a number of projectiles apparently targeting the Al Udeid Air Base, the biggest US military installation in the Middle East.

Iran's Declared Retaliation

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard declared it was attacking US bases and assets as part of military campaign "Truthful Promise 4", in response for the strikes on Iran initiated by the United States and its ally Israel on Saturday.

That US-Israeli operation - launched at around 06:15 GMT - has so far targeted sites linked to the the regime, with US President Donald Trump encouraging the Iranian people to rise up against the government.

Regional Fallout

In the State of Israel, sirens were heard nationwide after the Israel Defense Forces said it had identified an barrage of missiles from Iran.

The defence ministry of the UAE announced that the nation has been subjected to a "a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles".

"UAE air defence systems responded to the projectiles with great effectiveness and successfully intercepted a number of missiles," it added.

It said debris fell on a neighborhood in the capital, resulting in some material damage and fatalities.

The US Air Force is stationed at the Al Dhafra base, south of Abu Dhabi, along with the Emirati Air Force.