Gulf States: Security

Domestic

A significant escalation of attacks targeted Gulf states, primarily attributed to Iran. Drone and missile strikes hit the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, causing casualties, damaging key infrastructure including airports, ports, oil and gas facilities, and a desalination plant. One attack caused a major fire at a facility in Bahrain, and debris from intercepted drones caused injuries, including six foreigners in Abu Dhabi and one death at Abu Dhabi Airport. In response, Gulf states activated air defenses, with Qatar shooting down two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets. An Emirati official warned that the region's 'passive defence has limits.' Concurrently, Iran deployed mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and maritime attacks occurred, including a projectile strike on an oil tanker off Oman that killed one crew member and injured four. These events caused a rise in oil prices and led to the partial reopening of Qatari airspace. Separately, three U.S. F-15 fighter jets crashed in Kuwait, with video showing pilots ejecting, and Kuwait controlled a fire at airport fuel tanks following strikes.

International

The attacks directly impacted U.S. forces and diplomatic posts. An Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Kuwait wounded dozens of American troops. Simultaneously, three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in what the U.S. military described as a friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses. A drone strike also hit near the U.S. consulate in Dubai, causing a fire. In response, the U.S. State Department ordered non-emergency staff to evacuate from Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq, following reported damage at the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Manama. Iran claimed it had closed the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to set shipping there 'ablaze,' a claim denied by U.S. Central Command. The U.S. Navy stated it will begin escorting ships through the strait, and France proposed expanding a European naval mission to the area. International partners, including Italy and France, discussed providing defensive support, and the Pentagon and Gulf states explored using Ukrainian-made interceptor missiles.