DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran expanded retaliatory missile and drone strikes across multiple Gulf states that host U.S. forces, rattling major cities, disrupting air travel and hitting commercial infrastructure as regional leaders weighed their next moves, March 1, 2026.
The wave of strikes follows a dramatic widening of the conflict after the United States and Israel launched major attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to warn it would target U.S. military sites in the region while also unleashing attacks that Gulf officials said spilled into civilian areas.
Iran attacks Gulf states: what was hit and what officials are saying
In Kuwait, authorities said air defenses intercepted hostile drones over residential neighborhoods as the strikes entered a third day, with loud bangs reported and sirens sounding in parts of the country. Reuters reported Kuwait said there were no injuries from the intercepted drones.
Across the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, residents reported blasts and disruptions as air defenses engaged incoming threats, according to regional accounts and international reporting. A separate Reuters report said Iranian missiles targeted multiple Gulf cities in rare strikes that sent people scrambling for cover.
Iran says its retaliation is aimed at military targets tied to the U.S. presence, but the conflict’s spread has heightened fears that commercial hubs and civilian areas are increasingly at risk. The fighting has also widened beyond the Gulf: The Associated Press reported Iranian-backed militias joined the escalation and that attacks and counterattacks are now reverberating across multiple countries.
Ports, shipping and the risk to regional trade
Maritime and logistics concerns intensified as strikes and debris incidents touched key port areas and sea lanes. The Washington Post reported that strikes and intercept debris affected major port zones in the UAE and Oman, adding to uncertainty for shipping and aviation.
Off Oman’s coast near the Strait of Hormuz, an oil tanker was struck and crew members were evacuated, according to Reuters, underscoring how quickly the confrontation is bleeding into commercial shipping routes that energy markets watch closely.
Why this escalation feels different
Gulf capitals have spent years building layered air defenses and projecting an image of security and continuity for tourism, finance and logistics. This round of attacks is testing that model by mixing threats to military sites with strikes and incidents that touch dense urban corridors, airports, ports and residential areas.
Diplomatically, Gulf governments face a narrowing set of options: pressing Washington for stronger air-defense coverage and deterrence, urging de-escalation to protect trade, and managing domestic anger if civilians are harmed.
Continuity over time: a familiar playbook, bigger stakes
The current crisis echoes several past shocks that reshaped regional security calculations:
- In January 2020, Iran fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in retaliation for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an episode that showed Tehran’s willingness to strike near U.S. forces while trying to calibrate escalation. (Reuters graphic)
- In April 2024, Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel in its first direct attack on Israeli territory, marking a major shift from shadow warfare to overt strikes. (Reuters)
- The September 2019 attack on Saudi Aramco facilities disrupted global oil supply and underscored how quickly energy infrastructure can become a strategic pressure point. (Reuters explainer)
What to watch next
Three developments will shape whether the confrontation stabilizes or spirals: whether Iran continues striking Gulf urban and commercial areas; whether Gulf states retaliate directly or tighten cooperation with U.S. and allied defenses; and whether maritime incidents around the Strait of Hormuz expand into sustained disruption of shipping.
For now, Gulf residents and businesses are bracing for additional alerts, flight disruptions and heightened security as officials push competing messages of control, deterrence and restraint.
