Iran Launches Retaliatory Missile Strikes Across the Gulf and Israel

Following the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, Iran launched a large-scale missile and drone attack targeting multiple Gulf Arab states and Israel on February 28, 2026. The strikes have sparked fears of a wider regional conflict.

Targets and Responses

The Iranian government confirmed attacks on targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, all of which host airbases with U.S. Assets Al Jazeera. Additional targets included Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Israel itself, marking one of the most geographically widespread Iranian attacks in recent years.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates experienced the largest volume of incoming weapons, with authorities reporting 137 missiles and 209 Shahed-type drones launched towards the country. Air defense systems intercepted 132 missiles and 195 drones, but several projectiles penetrated defenses, impacting areas near Dubai International Airport and the Burj Al Arab hotel complex. Officials reported limited damage despite the scale of the attack.

Qatar

Qatar reported 66 incoming missiles and 12 drones. While most threats were neutralized, debris from a booster stage containing toxic gases fell within Qatari territory. No large-scale infrastructure damage was publicly confirmed.

Bahrain

Bahrain recorded 45 missiles and nine drones targeting the island kingdom. Several projectiles impacted residential structures after interception, resulting in localized damage. Bahraini authorities did not release detailed casualty figures but confirmed civilian areas were affected.

Jordan

Jordan reported a combined missile and drone attack totaling 49 aerial threats. The Jordanian military intercepted 13 missiles, while others fell outside populated zones or caused limited damage. The response was coordinated with regional partners.

Kuwait

Kuwaiti authorities detected at least 11 missiles, intercepting nine of them, and 15 drones, destroying five before they reached their targets. Attacks were directed toward military installations and airport infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia confirmed a military facility connected to U.S. Forces was targeted by five ballistic missiles. Saudi air defenses intercepted all incoming missiles before impact, reporting no damage or casualties.

Oman and Israel

The strikes extended to Oman, traditionally a neutral state in regional conflicts, with missiles targeting the port of Duqm and injuring one foreign worker. Israeli authorities also reported incoming missile fire, activating nationwide air defense systems and reporting interceptions, though details were limited initially.

Air Defense and Drone Warfare

Regional militaries activated layered air defense systems, including Patriot and THAAD, highlighting the growing reliance on integrated missile defense among Gulf states. Many of the attacking drones were identified as Shahed-series unmanned aerial vehicles, designed for long-range strike missions and complicating detection due to their low altitude and slower speeds Al Jazeera.

Strategic Implications

The February 28 attack demonstrates Iran’s continued emphasis on distributed regional targeting rather than a single concentrated strike. By engaging multiple Gulf monarchies simultaneously, the operation expanded the defensive perimeter and required coordinated responses across national command structures. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed all Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East had been struck and vowed continued attacks until “the enemy is decisively defeated” Al Jazeera. All US assets throughout the region are considered legitimate targets, according to the IRGC.

International Response

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Ghanbari stated Iran has the right to defend itself and expressed regret for any humanitarian loss caused by the escalation. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, asserting Iran would “continue to exercise its right of self-defence decisively and without hesitation until the aggression ceases fully and unequivocally.” Al Jazeera. The attacks are expected to harden support for the U.S.-Israel campaign Reuters, even as U.S. Gulf allies express concern and seek options Politico.