The glittering skylines of the Persian Gulf — long symbols of stability and prosperity — were shattered on February 28, 2026, as Iranian ballistic missiles rained down on Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuwait City, Doha, and Manama in the most devastating regional attack in modern Middle Eastern history.
The Gulf Under Fire
Within hours of the US-Israeli Operation Epic Fury strikes on Iran, Tehran unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting every major Gulf state that hosts American military assets. The scale was unprecedented — multiple countries attacked simultaneously in a coordinated retaliatory assault.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE was hit in multiple locations. Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah saw a strike on the Fairmont Hotel, injuring four people. In Abu Dhabi, one person was killed by falling debris from intercepted missiles. The UAE activated its advanced THAAD and Patriot missile defense batteries.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia confirmed missile attacks on Riyadh and the Eastern Province. The kingdom — which hosts US military personnel at multiple facilities — scrambled its own missile defense systems. This marks the most significant attack on Saudi soil since the 2019 Aramco drone strikes.
Kuwait
Iran targeted Kuwait’s main airport and US military facilities. Kuwait confirmed the missile attack targeted American installations on its territory. Kuwait hosts Camp Arifjan, one of the largest US Army bases in the region.
Qatar
Qatar, home to Al Udeid Air Base — the largest US military base in the Middle East with over 10,000 personnel — announced it had successfully downed all incoming missiles and asserted its right to respond to the attacks.
Bahrain
The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters was directly struck. A high-rise building and a separate naval facility in Manama were also hit. The US Embassy announced closure for March 1.
Collateral Damage Across the Region
In Syria, five people were killed and several wounded in Suwayda. Iraq also saw strikes on US positions, with Kurdish Peshmerga forces and the Counter Terrorism Department activating defensive measures in the Kurdistan Region.
The UK’s Royal Air Force is participating in defensive operations alongside regional allies.
Flight Suspensions and Economic Impact
Major airlines have suspended flights across the entire Persian Gulf region. The global oil market is bracing for major disruptions, with the Strait of Hormuz — through which 20% of the world’s oil passes — now a potential flashpoint.
A Region Transformed
The Gulf states have spent decades building themselves as safe havens for business, tourism, and global finance. In a single day, Iran’s retaliatory strikes have shattered that image. The question now is whether these nations — which had carefully maintained working relationships with both the US and Iran — will be drawn fully into the conflict.
Qatar’s statement asserting its “right to respond” was the most aggressive, potentially opening a new front in what is rapidly becoming a regionwide war.
Developing story — updates to follow.