On July 12, forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army launched missile and drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman.
In Oman, a security source said that several locations in Musandam Governorate were targeted by drone strikes. The Omani government condemned the attacks and stated that it would take all necessary measures to protect the country's security and its residents.
The attack came despite Oman's role as one of the principal mediators between the Islamic Republic and the United States in the ongoing crisis.
On July 11, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in Oman to discuss mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Muscat had recently been working to keep the shipping lane open and facilitate the implementation of agreements related to the strait.
Qatar, another key regional mediator, was also targeted. The IRGC claimed responsibility for a missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base, saying it had targeted command centers and aircraft maintenance facilities. Qatar stated that its armed forces had intercepted the incoming missiles.
The United Arab Emirates reported that its air defense systems had intercepted missiles and drones. Kuwait announced that it had engaged hostile aerial targets, while in Bahrain, air raid sirens sounded three times, and residents were instructed to move to safe locations. The IRGC also claimed to have targeted Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan.
The wave of attacks began after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that, during the third round of strikes carried out that week, it had hit approximately 140 military targets belonging to the Islamic Republic.
According to CENTCOM, the operation was conducted in response to another attack by Iranian forces on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM stated that over the course of three nights, it had struck more than 300 targets in an effort to reduce the Islamic Republic's capability to attack commercial shipping.
