Tehran

Iran launched a fresh wave of missile strikes on Saturday as the escalating conflict in West Asia entered another intense phase, according to Iranian state media.

The development came shortly after Iran’s military warned that it could target ports and docks in the United Arab Emirates following recent strikes by the United States on Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s crude oil exports.

The warning was issued by Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

“We warn the UAE leadership that the Islamic Republic of Iran views it as its legitimate right to strike the origins of American missile launches — those concealed in ports, docks, and shelters used by US forces under the cover of Emirati cities — in defence of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zolfaghari said, according to CNN.

Iran’s warning came after US missile strikes targeted military facilities on Kharg Island on Friday, escalating tensions across the Gulf region.

According to a statement by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on X, American forces carried out a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, destroying naval mine storage facilities, missile bunkers and other military sites.

“Last night, U.S. forces executed a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, Iran. The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites. U.S. forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island while preserving the oil infrastructure,” the command said.

Kharg Island is considered crucial for Iran’s economy, handling nearly 90 per cent of the country’s crude oil exports. US officials and Iranian state media said the strikes did not hit oil infrastructure or facilities linked to oil trade.

Iran has said its retaliatory attacks in the Gulf have primarily targeted US military interests. However, reports indicate that hotels, civilian buildings and key oil infrastructure across the region have also been struck during the ongoing hostilities.

Meanwhile, reports citing regional media indicate that Tehran plans to expand its offensive operations using upgraded weapons systems, including ballistic missiles and other high-impact munitions with greater destructive capability.

READ MORE: Quran and Gita help Jasmine Sultana crack Assam civil services exam

The latest escalation comes amid growing fears that the widening conflict could further destabilise the Gulf region and disrupt global energy supplies.