Rabat — The US Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, urged Americans to avoid hotels in the capital, saying they might be a target for the future.
“The U.S. embassy in Bahrain is tracking confirmed reports that the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manama was struck on March 1, 2026, resulting in injuries,” the embassy said.
It called on citizens to dial 999 for emergency services in Bahrain for assistance or the State Department – Consular Affairs numbers.
The United Kingdom also urged citizens in Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, to “shelter in place” amid the escalating tension in the Middle East.
The UK office said it “advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.”
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has confirmed the Crowne Plaza Hotel was the target of an attack, resulting in material damage but “no loss of life.”
GCC chief Jasem al Budaiwi condemned Iranian attacks, including on Oman’s Duqm port and an oil tanker off the coast of the country.
Al-Budaiwi described the attack as a “serious violation and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security.”
The situation comes amid ongoing escalated tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US.
On Saturday, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Trump confirmed they had killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an operation targeting his compound in Tehran.
In a retaliatory operation, Iran launched attacks on US and Israeli assets in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Al Jazeera reported today that there have been reports of new explosions in Dubai.
Today, the US and Israel are promising larger campaigns against Iran. Israel claimed two fighter jets hit the Airport of Tabriz in Iran to “degrade the Iranian forces’ activities.”
Tehran also threatened it would launch attacks with force that the US and Israel “have never experienced before.”
A mixed global response
The Iranian-Israeli-US tensions sparked divisions across the world.
While some support US-Israeli attacks, others condemned them and mourned the killing of Khameneiini.
In Pakistan, at least nine protesters were killed when crowds breached the outer wall of the US consulate in Karachi following news of strikes on Tehran.
Iraqi police also fired tear gas to disperse pro-Iranian protests that gathered in Baghdad.
The majority of the international community has been urging calm, condemning the attacks.
North Korea’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as “illegal aggression.”
For the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, however, Khamenei’s death serves as a “defining moment in Iran’s history.”
“What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape,” Kallas said on X.
She said she is in contact with partners, including “those in the region that bear the brunt of Iran’s military actions, to find practical steps for de-escalation.”
Today, the UK Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) announced that a ship near the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an “unknown projectile.”
“Although the engine room was originally reported as on fire, it has now been reported that the fire is under control,” UKMTO said on X. Authorities are investigating the strike.
Pope Leo announced his “deep concern” over the situation, appealing for an end to the “spiral of violence.”
“I address a heartfelt appeal to the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” the pope said.
He added that stability and peace “are not built through mutual threats or through weapons.”
Many countries condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Gulf states, including Morocco.
The North African country extended its solidarity and support to the targeted Gulf countries, emphasizing that it backs any measures Arab leaders of these nations deem appropriate to tackle the situation.
The Arab League also condemned the Iranian attacks and assaults targeting Arab countries.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary General of the Arab league said he denounced the targeting of Kuwait International Airport, Riyadh, and other Saudi regions, as well as civilian facilities in Dubai.
“Gamal Roshdy, the official spokesperson for the Secretary-General, stated that Mr. Aboul Gheit also strongly condemned the Iranian attacks carried out on 28 February in Erbil, Iraq, as well as Israeli and US attacks on Babil Governorate, stressing that any aggression against the sovereignty of Arab states is unacceptable and condemned,” the Arab League said in a statement.
All of the targeted Gulf countries said they intercepted missiles.
Qatar said it intercepted 65 ballistic missiles and 12 unmanned aerial vehicles in a retaliatory attack by Iran.
Meanwhile, the UAE said on Saturday that it shot down 132 Iranian ballistic missiles and intercepted 195 drones since the start of an attack on its territory.
