Bahrain, Qatar intercept over 170 Iranian missiles, dozens of drones in three days

2026-03-03 - 08:32

Bahrain and Qatar have successfully intercepted a massive wave of Iranian projectile attacks over the past three days, the countries' defense commands announced Tuesday. The Bahrain Defense Force reported its systems destroyed 70 missiles and 76 drones launched from Iran since hostilities began Saturday, describing the assaults as "ongoing terrorist aggression" that caused material damage to civilian property and infrastructure. The command condemned the "random and excessive" targeting of civilians as a "flagrant violation" of international humanitarian law and affirmed the kingdom's right to defend its sovereignty. Qatari Defense Response Qatar's Defense Ministry reported detecting 101 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and 39 suicide drones heading toward its airspace during the same period. All missiles and 24 drones were successfully intercepted, though officials did not disclose whether the remaining projectiles caused casualties or damage. The ministry stated that forces responded immediately upon detection according to pre-approved operational plans and affirmed the armed forces' full capability to protect national territory. Regional Impact and Escalation Nine Arab countries—including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, in addition to Bahrain and Qatar—have reported damage over the past three days as Iran retaliates against Saturday's US-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hundreds of others. Tehran has launched missile barrages and drones toward Israel and US-linked sites across the region, drawing condemnation from Gulf Cooperation Council states while demonstrating the expanding geographic scope of the conflict.