Tensions Escalate: Iran Strikes Israel Amid Rising Gulf Tensions

Iran launched attacks toward Israel and Gulf countries, following the killing of top Iranian security officials by Israel. Explosions reverberated across the region, with significant casualties reported. A Saudi-hosted meeting aims to address regional stability as tensions roil, and missile alerts disrupt Dubai's morning peace.

In a dramatic escalation early Wednesday, Iran launched a series of strikes towards Israel and neighboring Gulf countries, in retaliation for the Israeli military's overnight killing of Iranian security officials. Witnesses reported explosions across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

In response, Israeli airstrikes flattened an apartment building in central Beirut, marking just one of several attacks on residential areas in recent days. These strikes have resulted in dozens of casualties, as Lebanese officials reported fatalities in central Beirut and the Bekaa valley.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is set to host a crucial meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers to discuss regional security. The fast-unfolding US-Israel war with Iran has particularly distressed Gulf Arab states, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)