Iran launched immediate retaliation after the United States and Israel conducted airstrikes across Iran on the 28th (local time).
The New York Times, citing Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency, reported that Iran launched missile attacks targeting U.S. Air Force and Navy bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain. An Iranian military spokesman said in a statement released through Fars, "We will teach Israel and the United States a lesson they have never experienced in history," adding, "All bases that help the United States and Israel will become targets of the Iranian military."
Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired large-scale missiles and drones at major U.S. military bases in the Middle East, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the Naval Forces Central Command headquarters in Bahrain. Explosions were heard multiple times in Riyadh, the capital of U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, as well as in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, one person was killed by falling debris from an intercepted missile in a residential area.
Qatar, home to Al Udeid—the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East—said it successfully intercepted multiple attacks on its territory using Patriot air defense missiles. Jordan announced it shot down two ballistic missiles in its airspace and that its air defense systems operated successfully.
In Kuwait, where U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is stationed, air raid sirens followed by explosions caused confusion. Local military authorities said they intercepted detected missiles.
Bahraini authorities confirmed that U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet facilities were targeted. Explosions and smoke were also witnessed near the U.S. Consulate and airport in Erbil, in Iraq's northern Kurdish autonomous region.
The IRGC named this counterattack operation "True Promise 4," vowing a strong and resolute response.
Earlier the same day, the United States and Israel conducted airstrikes on major Iranian cities including Tehran. U.S. President Donald Trump said in an eight-minute video message posted on social media platform Truth Social shortly after the strikes, "The United States has launched major combat operations against Iran," adding, "The goal is to eliminate the threat posed by the Iranian regime." Trump also stated, "The Iranian regime can never be allowed to have nuclear weapons," and "We will destroy Iran's missiles."
The U.S. named this airstrike operation "Epic Fury." The U.S. Department of Defense posted the phrase "OPERATION EPIC FURY" alongside the American flag on social media platform X. The operation name for U.S. airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year was "Midnight Hammer."