Gulf states intercept fresh wave of Iranian drones, missiles

2026-03-10 - 23:12

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates reported Tuesday that their air defense systems intercepted fresh attacks involving drones and ballistic missiles launched from Iran, as Gulf states continue to face Iranian retaliation for the US-Israeli campaign. Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry announced in a statement that two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) heading toward the Shaybah oil field in the country's southeast were shot down and destroyed, protecting critical energy infrastructure. UAE response The UAE's Defense Ministry stated that its air defenses were responding to incoming missiles and affirmed the country's "full readiness to deal with all threats" to protect its territory and ensure the safety of citizens and residents. Since the start of Iranian attacks on the country, authorities reported detecting 1,475 drones, destroying 1,385, while 90 fell inside the UAE, highlighting the sustained pressure on Emirati air defenses. Bahrain alert Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced that sirens were activated due to an attack, urging residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location. The activation reflects the ongoing threat to the kingdom, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet headquarters and has been repeatedly targeted since the conflict began. Conflict context Regional escalation has intensified since Israel and the US launched a joint attack against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and injuring over 10,000. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting US military assets across the region as well as several Israeli cities. Analysts estimate that more than 3,000 Iranian projectiles have been launched toward Arab countries and Israel since the conflict began, with Gulf states relying heavily on air defense systems while attempting to avoid direct participation in the war.