ABU DHABI / MANAMA / DOHA — Several Gulf Arab states reported being targeted by Iranian missiles on Saturday after Tehran pledged to retaliate against strikes by the United States and Israel. The escalation brings open conflict to a part of the Arab world that has long prided itself on relative safety and economic stability.
Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan—all of which host a US military presence—confirmed they had intercepted incoming Iranian projectiles. State media in the United Arab Emirates reported that at least one person had been killed in Abu Dhabi, though further details regarding the casualty were not immediately disclosed.
“All occupied territories and the criminal U.S. bases in the region have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles. This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated,” declared a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Loud Booms and Grey Smoke Across the Gulf The impact of the retaliatory barrage was felt across multiple nations:
-
Bahrain: Authorities confirmed an attack inside its territory, stating that a service center of the US Fifth Fleet had been struck. Video evidence from a Reuters witness showed a plume of grey smoke rising near the island nation’s coast amid the wail of air raid sirens.
-
United Arab Emirates: Five witnesses, including two Reuters correspondents, reported hearing loud booms across Abu Dhabi. One witness described hearing five rapid booms that caused windows near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche to vibrate. Similar blasts were heard in the Al Dhafra and Bateen areas. Residents received mobile phone alerts instructing them to seek shelter in secure buildings and stay away from windows. Fighter jets were later seen patrolling the skies around Yas Island.
-
Qatar: The Qatari military stated it had intercepted incoming Iranian missiles before they reached its territory following “joint coordination.” Successive waves of blasts echoed through the capital, Doha. After an initial shelter warning from the US Embassy, many residents initially continued their daily routines—shopping and taking tour buses through the West Bay district. However, streets quickly emptied and traffic thinned once the Qatari government pushed an official shelter-in-place alert to mobile phones.
-
Kuwait & Jordan: The Kuwaiti army confirmed it successfully dealt with missiles in its airspace, while Jordan reported downing two Iranian ballistic missiles.
Aviation Chaos The immediate fallout of the strikes has severely disrupted international travel. Global airlines swiftly suspended flights across the Middle East, with real-time flight tracking maps showing the airspace over Iran left virtually empty.
