Iran is retaliating against what it described as a joint American and Israeli offensive, by making enemies with Gulf nations that wanted to maintain neutrality in any conflict involving Khamenei’s Iran. Every Gulf nation reported being struck, reported the New York Times; even Oman, which had facilitated U.S.-Iran talks aimed at preventing conflict, said it was targeted.
Iran claims to target U.S. installations in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, firing hundreds of missiles and drones toward the energy-rich Persian Gulf nations that host multiple U.S. military installations. U.S. Central Command has rejected any allegations that American aircraft carriers were successfully hit, according to Fox News.
According to figures compiled from official statements and tallied by The New York Times, at least four people were killed and more than 100 injured across the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
On Sunday, the Emirati defense ministry reported that more than 540 drones, 165 ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles had targeted the country. While most were intercepted, 21 drones hit civilian sites.
Bader Al-Saif, an assistant professor at Kuwait University, said the attacks had rattled the Gulf’s standing as “the last bastion of stability in the Middle East,” but did not “upend it.”
“Two days into the war, the Gulf States have been able to defend themselves and the damage and casualties are extremely low,” he said.
Some of the most alarming scenes unfolded in Dubai, the Emirates’ largest city and a regional hub for commerce and tourism. Luxury hotels ignited, blasts blew out windows in high-rise residences and the emirate’s busy international airport sustained damage that left four people hurt. Videos circulated online showing flaming projectiles streaking past the skyline’s signature towers.
“You never expect to hear missiles flying over your head in a city like Dubai,” said Elizabeth Rayment, a consultant who was driving on the city’s palm tree-shaped island when debris landed nearby.
Dubai has historically maintained extensive trade links with Iran, seeking to preserve its standing as a neutral commercial haven. The Emirates ranks among Iran’s top trading partners.
“There was nothing that they valued more than that perception of safety — and they prided themselves on maneuvering politically and hedging to be basically on the good books of everyone,” said Cinzia Bianco, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations who focuses on the Gulf.
The Times adds that Kuwaiti authorities reported that one person died and more than 30 foreign nationals were wounded as air defenses countered 97 ballistic missiles and 283 drones. Qatar’s interior ministry said at least 16 people were hurt there; the country hosts a major U.S. air base.
In Bahrain, home to a significant U.S. naval presence, officials said “several residential buildings” in the capital of Manama were struck, along with the Crowne Plaza hotel. Civilian infrastructure — including airports, hotels and housing — suffered damage throughout the region.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had begun “by attacking the enemy’s military bases in the region” but claimed American personnel had “fled to hotels.”
“We have made efforts to target only military personnel and facilities that assist them in operations against Iran,” he said.