Iran Launches Missile and Drone Barrages on Israel and Gulf States

Iran launched large-scale missile and drone attacks against Israel and several Gulf Arab states in retaliation for a joint United States–Israel air campaign on Iran that began on 28/02/2026. The earlier strikes targeted Iranian leadership and military facilities and killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, prompting Iranian authorities to initiate direct retaliatory operations across the Middle East. In Israel, Iranian ballistic missiles struck multiple population centers including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Beit Shemesh. Israeli air defense systems intercepted many incoming projectiles, but several missiles penetrated the defenses and hit residential areas. A direct strike near Jerusalem destroyed part of a residential building and killed at least six people. Another attack in Beit Shemesh killed nine civilians, including children. Reports indicated that some missiles may have carried cluster munition warheads, increasing the risk to civilians. Since the start of March, Iranian forces have reportedly launched multiple missile barrages each day, maintaining sustained pressure on Israeli cities while Israel continued aerial operations against targets inside Iran. Iran also expanded its retaliation beyond Israel by targeting members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that host United States military facilities. According to conflict monitoring organizations and government statements, Iran launched missiles and large numbers of drones toward the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain, marking one of the first direct multi-country strikes by Iran in the region. The attacks targeted military bases, airports, and infrastructure connected to US forces. The United Arab Emirates experienced one of the largest waves of attacks. Iranian forces launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles toward Emirati territory, with debris and intercepted projectiles causing damage in areas around Dubai, including near Dubai International Airport and the Burj Al Arab hotel. Civil aviation operations were disrupted as authorities temporarily closed major airspace corridors. By early March, Emirati officials reported four fatalities and more than 100 injuries, many caused by falling debris from intercepted missiles. In Kuwait, Iranian strikes targeted locations linked to US forces. A missile attack on Camp Arifjan on 01/03/2026 killed six United States service members, while additional drones and missiles were intercepted by Kuwaiti defenses. The attacks were part of a broader series of strikes on military and logistical facilities across the country during the first days of the conflict. Saudi Arabia also reported Iranian missile and drone attacks aimed at installations including Prince Sultan Air Base and other military and energy facilities. Saudi defenses intercepted several projectiles, but some infrastructure sustained damage. A United States soldier later died from injuries sustained during one of the attacks. Meanwhile, explosions and missile interceptions were reported in Qatar, and a drone strike damaged a desalination facility in Bahrain, raising concerns about regional infrastructure security. Location: Israel and multiple Gulf Cooperation Council states (United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain)