CAIRO -- The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran, claiming that the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed.
Iran retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the region, with explosions reported in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, among other countries. (Iran-Israel-U.S.-Attacks)
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CAIRO -- Multiple countries in the Middle East closed or restricted their airspace on Saturday, and major airlines globally canceled flights to the region, as a new wave of conflict erupted following a U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran.
Civil authorities of Kuwait, Qatar and Syria temporarily closed or partially closed their airspace as a precautionary measure amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions. (U.S.-Israel-Iran Conflict-Airspace Closures)
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GAZA -- Israeli authorities announced on Saturday evening the closure of all crossings into the Gaza Strip, including the Rafah land crossing, until further notice amid heightened tensions with Iran.
In a statement, Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said: "Following recent developments, security measures have been taken to safeguard lives." It added that crossings in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah, would remain closed until further notice. (Israel-Gaza-Crossings)
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CAIRO -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi emphasized on Saturday the necessity of returning to dialogue and diplomacy to reach political solutions for the current crisis in Iran, noting that military solutions will not serve the interests of any party.
Sisi made the remarks during separate phone calls with the leaders of Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to statements from the Egyptian Presidency. (Egypt-Iran-Attacks)
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SANAA -- Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said Saturday evening that his group stands in full solidarity with Iran and is "fully prepared for any developments," calling on supporters to stage mass rallies in Sanaa and other provinces.
In a televised speech broadcast by the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV, Abdulmalik urged Yemenis to participate in large-scale demonstrations on Sunday in solidarity with Iran in response to what he described as an "open U.S.-Israeli aggression." (Yemen-Houthis-Iran) ■
