Qatar closed its airspace amid Iranian threats to retaliate against the United States over its bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday. Earlier in the day, Israel expanded its war against Iran to include targets associated with the country’s struggling theocracy, striking the gate of a Tehran prison notorious for holding political activists and hitting the headquarters of the military force that suppressed recent protests. In the past, Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command.

Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran. Earlier in the day, plumes of thick smoke rose over Tehran, Israel was attacked with yet another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. The persistent fire has become a reality for civilians in both countries since Israel started the war to target Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. On the 11th day of the conflict, Israel said it attacked “regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran,” but Israeli officials insisted they did not seek the overthrow of Iran’s government, their archenemy since the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Israeli military warned Iranians that it would continue to attack military sites around Tehran over “the coming days” as its focuses has shifted to symbolic targets as well. The military issued the warning on the social platform X, though Iranians are struggling to access the outside world as an internet shutdown has crippled the country. The latest strikes unfolded only hours after President Donald Trump openly raised the possibility himself after just a day earlier inserting America into the war with its unprecedented stealth-bomber strike on three Iranian nuclear sites. “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???” he asked on his Truth Social website. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later described Trump as “simply raising a question.”

However, suggestions of overthrowing the Iranian government drew new anger from Tehran, which insists it will not negotiate at this time and is threatening to retaliate directly against either American troops or interests in a Mideast already inflamed by the stillraging Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. In the Tehran strikes, Israel blew open a gate at Evin prison. Iranian state television shared black-andwhite surveillance footage of the strike at the facility known for holding dual nationals and Westerners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West. Evin also has specialized units for political prisoners run by the paramilitary, all-volunteer Revolutionary Guard, which answers only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The facility is the target of both U.S. and European Union sanctions. There were no immediate reports of casualties in Iran or significant damage, though the semiofficial Tasnim news agency said there had been a power cut reported outside of Tehran following the Israeli strikes. Iranian state television also aired footage it described as being shot inside Evin, with prisoners under control inside the facility. However, the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran expressed worry about the condition of prisoners there.

“Many families of current detainees have expressed deep concern about the safety and condition of their loved ones held inside the prison,” it said. Meanwhile, Ambassador of the European Union to Kuwait Anne Koistinen affirmed her belief that diplomacy is the key to resolving conflicts, stressing that the European Union will continue to support all diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions and achieving a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. She also emphasized that this issue can only be resolved through a negotiated agreement. In an interview with the daily, Ambassador Koistinen said the European Union is closely following the developments in the region. She referred to a recent statement by the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas issued on behalf of all 27 member states of the European Union. The statement expressed the European Union’s deep concern over the dangerous escalation following Israeli strikes on Iran, and Tehran’s response. Ambassador Koistinen explained that the European Union is firmly committed to regional security and stability, and called on all parties to uphold international law, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid actions that could trigger serious consequences, such as the potential leakage of radioactive materials. The European Union unequivocally believes Iran must not be allowed to develop or possess a nuclear weapon, and is concerned about the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, which led the IAEA Board of Governors to conclude that Iran is not complying with its legally binding nuclear safeguards obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Despite these concerns, the European Union believes lasting security can only be achieved through diplomacy, not military confrontation.

Meanwhile, the French Embassy in Kuwait urged French citizens, who are currently in the region, to maintain a high level of vigilance and avoid demonstrations and gatherings. In a security alert posted on its X account Monday, the embassy pointed out the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, stating: “Depending on developments in the region, and due to the closure of airspace in a number of countries in the region; flight cancellations, delays or postponements may occur. It is advisable to contact the airline in advance to check the flight status and find alternatives if necessary.” It added that a guide is also available on the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior website, containing useful information in the event of a crisis or emergency. It then called on French residents in Kuwait to register with the French Citizens Abroad Registry, and for those who have already registered, to update their contact information if necessary through the service-public. fr website, completing the ‘address of residence abroad’ field and writing the area code in the ‘street’ field.

It also called for abstention from travel in the coming days to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Syria; indicating that French citizens currently in transit in these countries should register on the ‘Ariane Thread’ platform of the French Foreign Ministry. It advised regular monitoring of developments by visiting the website of the French Embassy in Kuwait and reviewing official travel advice. In addition, Omani Ambassador to Kuwait Dr. Saleh Al-Kharousi announced that the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the country continues to monitor the return of its citizens from the Islamic Republic of Iran through the borders of the State of Kuwait. In a press statement Monday, Al- Kharousi disclosed that the number of departing individuals exceeded 100 -- majority of whom are Omani citizens, and some are citizens of sisterly and friendly countries. He expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior and other concerned authorities in Kuwait for their efforts and assistance, which have had a significant impact on the speed and ease of the citizens’ departure.

By Fares Ghaleb
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies