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Iran has continued to launch retaliatory attacks in multiple countries across the region amid ongoing US-Israeli military operations in Iran.

Getting into it: The strikes, which have been coming in waves for almost 24 hours, are being justified by Iranian officials as a lawful response to what they describe as a US-Israeli “war of aggression” and a breach of the UN Charter. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, “We have every right in accordance with international law, with the UN Charter, to defend ourselves with all might,” adding that Iran’s armed forces “are defending national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Iran against these barbaric acts of aggression.” He argued the core issue extends beyond Iran, warning “what is at stake is not only the security and peace of the region and that of Iran, but also the whole fabric of international law” and the UN’s “normative system.”

Baghaei also laid out Iran’s rationale for striking across borders, arguing that any country or facility aiding the US or Israel becomes a lawful target. He insisted Iran is “not attacking any country in the region,” claiming, “We are friendly with all countries of the region. What we are doing is just taking defensive actions.” Separately, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Ghanbari told Al Jazeera that Iran “regrets any humanitarian loss caused by the current military escalation.”

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi also echoed this sentiment and has been working the phones, speaking to leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.

So far, we’ve seen Iranian strikes targeting the following locations:
Al Udeid Air Base – Qatar
Ali Al Salem Air Base – Kuwait
Kuwait International Airport – Kuwait
Al Dhafra Air Base – United Arab Emirates
Dubai International Airport – United Arab Emirates
Prince Sultan Air Base – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
US Base in Erbil – Northern Iraq
Muwaffaq Salti Air Base – Jordan
US Fifth Fleet Base – Bahrain

Some of the countries impacted by Iran’s strikes have condemned the attacks. Bahrain called the attack on the Fifth Fleet base a “treacherous attack” and “a blatant violation” of its sovereignty. Officials also said that residential buildings were hit. Kuwait said it maintains its right to defend itself. Saudi Arabia confirmed Iran targeted Riyadh and the eastern region, noting that the attacks were repelled, and said they were unjustifiable “under any pretext.”

This all comes as the United States and Israel launched a wave of attacks across multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, on Saturday, which President Trump described as “major combat operations.” Iranian media, citing the Red Crescent, reported 201 deaths and 747 injuries in daylong attacks across 24 provinces, with strikes “mainly directed at” IRGC headquarters and missile launch sites.