US forces are locked in air-defense battles, fending off attacks on American bases amid the fighting with Iran, official says

• One official said the U.S. military was actively participating in air defense operations in the Middle East.

• The operations involved the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy.

• Iran launched retaliatory missiles after attacks by the United States and Israel.

A U.S. official told Business Insider that the U.S. military is actively participating in air defense operations in the Middle East as Iran launches retaliatory missile attacks on countries in the region.

The U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy are participating in air defense operations, including at U.S. bases in the Middle East, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military developments.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired missiles at U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

All four countries host major U.S. military installations. Al Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest air base in the Middle East, while Naval Support Activity Base Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. Kuwait and the UAE also have important ground and air bases.

Qatar’s Defense Ministry says it has shot down Iranian missiles targeting the country multiple times. Bahrain’s state news agency said the Fifth Fleet was attacked. Rocket shrapnel killed at least one person in the United Arab Emirates, the country said, adding that it intercepted several incoming munitions.

The Israeli military said it detected multiple waves of missiles fired from Iran and that its air defenses were working to intercept them.

The U.S. embassy in several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan, earlier issued warnings that a missile attack was imminent and warned U.S. citizens to shelter in place.

The United States has deployed additional troops to the region in recent weeks, amassing a large force capable of conducting air defense operations.

More than a dozen U.S. warships, including two aircraft carriers, are operating in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. U.S. fighter jets and anti-aircraft batteries also operate in the area.

President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the United States has begun “significant combat operations” in Iran aimed at degrading the country’s nuclear and military capabilities. His video statement came shortly after the Israeli government announced a “pre-emptive” strike against the country.

The attack involved U.S. ground, air and naval forces, as well as Israeli F-35 stealth fighters and F-15 jets. Britain, which has military assets in the Middle East, was not involved in the offensive.

The new attacks mark the second time in less than a year that the United States has taken direct military action against Iran. In June 2025, the US military bombed Tehran’s nuclear facilities as part of Operation Midnight Hammer.

The United States has provided air defense to Israel during previous conflicts with Iran, including during June’s conflict.

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