During the 2026 Iran war, Iran carried out a series of missile strikes and drone attacks against several Arab countries in the Middle East. They also involved security threats against territorial waters and maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iranian authorities, the attacks targeted American interests and military bases in the region in response to strikes by the United States and Israel that targeted Iran. They also stated that any country that would allow its territory to be used for attacks against Iran would be considered a legitimate target. The governments of the targeted countries reported that several missiles and drones fell in civilian areas or near non-military facilities, including residential areas, economic facilities, international airports, hotels, and energy installations. The targeted countries condemned the attacks and considered them a violation of their sovereignty, especially since they were not involved in the conflict, and stated they have a right to respond and defend themselves under international law.
Between 28 February and 18 March 2026, Qatar was targeted by 203 missiles and 87 drones, in addition to an attack involving two fighter jets. Saudi Arabia was hit with at least 38 missiles and 435 drones, while Jordan was targeted with a total of 204 missiles and drones. Oman was the least affected, with only 16 drones recorded, resulting in limited damage to some installations without any human casualties. The strikes caused damage to infrastructure and civilian facilities, disrupted flights, and prompted elevated military alert in the affected countries. In response, air defense systems around key installations were reinforced. The attacks also triggered widespread political and diplomatic reactions throughout the region.
Saudi Arabia faced several missile and drone attacks during the regional escalation in March 2026. The attacks targeted military sites, oil facilities, and sensitive areas in the capital, the east, and the Empty Quarter. The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced the interception of ballistic missiles heading toward the Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj. There were also repeated reports about the targeting of the Shaybah Oil Field in the Empty Quarter.
In the Eastern Province, Saudi authorities announced an attempted attack on the Ras Tanura Refinery by a drone. In Riyadh, media reports indicated that a drone attack targeted the area around the U.S. Embassy in the diplomatic district, resulting in limited damage.
The UAE was subjected to missile and drone attacks targeting the country's airspace and several civilian targets. According to an official report, hundreds of missiles and drones were tracked, and there were recorded fatalities, injuries, and property damage.
In Dubai, the Dubai Media Office reported that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, resulting in four people being injured. In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Media Office announced the control of a fire that broke out at the Old Abu Dhabi Airport due to debris falling after an air interception, with no injuries reported. As of 18 March, 342 missiles and 1,699 drones were fired at UAE. By 27 March UAE reported Iran launched 378 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and some 1,835 drones at the UAE.
In Bahrain, Iran launched attacks on residential areas and energy facilities. In Sitra, the Bahraini Ministry of Health reported that 32 civilians were injured in a drone attack, including some in serious condition. In Ma'ameer, authorities announced the control of a fire that broke out in a facility after being targeted. Reports also indicated damage to the Bapco Refinery after an attack on the Sitra area.
As of 18 March, 132 missiles and 234 drones were fired at Bahrain.
In Kuwait, Iran launched attacks toward the airport, electrical infrastructure, and residential buildings. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Iranian attacks and noted that some of them targeted Kuwait International Airport.
On 9 March, the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy announced that a fire that broke out in the fuel tank at Subiya Power Station was caused by drone debris.
Kuwait announced the death of a child who died from injuries sustained after drone debris fell on a residential area.
In early March, the Qatari Ministry of Defense announced that the country was targeted by two ballistic missiles, one of which was intercepted by air defenses, while the other fell on Al Udeid Air Base without causing any human casualties.
Additionally, missile debris fell on a food storage warehouse, causing a fire in several warehouses.
In Oman, attacks targeted the port infrastructure and fuel tanks. At the Duqm Port, security source reported that several drones targeted fuel tanks, no human casualties were reported. At Salalah Port, Omani official sources announced that drones had struck fuel tanks without causing human casualties.
Jordanian authorities announced that the country was targeted by dozens of missiles and drones, and that the armed forces intercepted most of them.
On 12 March, the Public Security Directorate announced that shrapnel fell in the Hashemite area in Zarqa Governorate, causing limited damage to a water line.
Although the Gulf countries did not request the United States to initiate war, and initially sought to de-escalate the situation while encouraging diplomatic solutions, more than two weeks after the outbreak of the conflict and the continued Iranian attacks targeting civilian and economic facilities in their countries, including oil facilities, ports, airports, and cities, as well as disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, they began urging Washington not to end operations before weakening Iran's military capabilities significantly. The U.S. is seeking to rally Gulf support for participation in the war, while Gulf states remain cautious and avoid direct involvement for fear of escalation.
Abdulrahman Al-Rashed, former director of Al-Arabiya television, criticized that some Arab countries are justifying Iran's aggression towards other Arab countries, which he argues is reflective of a wider cultural crisis between Arab states.
By 29 March 2026 analysts of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America estimated that the Gulf states had burned through the majority of their interceptor missiles, with UAE and Kuwait having spent some 75% of their stock of Patriot missiles on defending against Iranian attacks, while Bahrain was estimated to have launched up to 87%.