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Iran pounds Gulf, regional states after US–Israel strikes: What to know

Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, as well as Israel, Jordan and Iraq, have all been targeted by Iranian missiles.

A smoke plume rises over Abu Dhabi from the site of an Iranian missile strike on February 28, 2026. Iranian missiles hit capital cities around the wealthy Gulf on February 28, killing at least one, in retaliation for a US and Israeli attack that threatened to spark a wider conflict. One civilian died in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, after being struck by falling debris, according to the ministry of defence. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)
A smoke plume rises over Abu Dhabi from the site of an Iranian missile strike on February 28, 2026. — AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced strikes on “all occupied territories and the criminal US bases in the region” on Saturday following US and Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. The Iranian missile barrage targeted most Gulf states, as well as Israel and other parts of the region after weeks of US-Iran nuclear talks failed to reach a breakthrough. 

Kuwait

The official Kuwait News Agency reported that Ali al-Salem Air Base, which hosts US troops, was targeted by ballistic missiles. The projectiles were “successfully intercepted,” and debris fell around the base, Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Saud al-Atwan told the agency.

There are around 13,500 US troops stationed in Kuwait.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said there was “significant damage to the runway,” according to Italy’s ANSA news agency. An unknown number of Italian troops are also stationed at the base.

Videos circulated on social media showing smoke rising in Kuwait, with Iranian media claiming the footage showed the impact of a strike on a US base, though the Pentagon has not commented. 

Later on Saturday, Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation said a drone hit the country's airport, resulting in minor injuries to some workers and limited material damage.

Qatar

The Qatari Defense Ministry said that three waves of “attacks” occurred in the country, with “all missiles intercepted before reaching the country's territory,” the official Qatar News Agency reported.

Al Jazeera aired footage showing the aftermath of an explosion in the country.

Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest US military installation in the Middle East and a critical hub for American air operations. The base hosts around 10,000 US troops.

Saudi Arabia 

The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as the "blatant and cowardly Iranian attacks that targeted the Riyadh Region and the Eastern Province," adding that the attack was "successfully intercepted."

The ministry said Iran was aware that the kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace to be used for an attack on the Islamic Republic and added that it may respond.

"The Kingdom affirms that it will take all necessary measures to defend its security and safeguard its territory, its citizens and its residents, including the option of responding to the aggression," the ministry said.

United Arab Emirates

The Emirati Defense Ministry said the country sustained a “blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles,” adding that its forces intercepted an unspecified “number” of projectiles. Debris from the intercepted missiles fell in several parts of Abu Dhabi, the official Emirates News Agency reported.

At least one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, Reuters reported, citing state media. The circumstances surrounding the death were not immediately clear.

A video post on X by Reuters journalist Timour Azhari showed fire and smoke rising from a hotel in the luxurious Palm Jumeirah area of Dubai after a blast.

Around 3,500 US forces are present at the Al Dhafra Air Base near the city, and the installation is another significant American air hub in the region. Multiple reports later indicated the Fairmont hotel had been hit.

The Emirates News Agency reported that four people were injured in an "incident" at the Dubai International Airport, adding that the facility sustained minor damage. The agency reported a "minor fire" broke out at the Burj Al Arab hotel.

The UAE Defense Ministry said in a statement it had successfully intercepted 137 missiles and 209 drones.

Bahrain

The Bahrain Defense Force’s General Command said it intercepted a “hostile missile attack from Iran.” There were no casualties, the official Bahrain News Agency reported. The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters compound outside Manama was also hit by what appeared to be at least one Iranian attack drone, although no casualties were reported. 

The Bahraini Ministry of the Interior said Saturday evening local time that three buildings in Manama and Muharraq were damaged by drone attacks and debris from an intercepted missile.

One of the buildings caught fire as a result, the ministry said.

A spokesperson for US Central Command declined to comment on the strikes.

Around 8,000 American troops are stationed in the country.

Jordan 

Jordan’s official news agency, Petra, reported that the kingdom’s military intercepted two ballistic missiles over its airspace. Later, the agency said that debris from ballistic missiles caused 12 impacts across the country, including in the governorate of the capital, Amman, resulting in no casualties.

US troops are stationed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Amman. The Jordanian military later said that it had intercepted 49 missiles and drones, including 13 ballistic missiles. 

Israel

The Israeli military said at around 4:29 pm local time (9:29 am ET) that “defense systems are operating to intercept the threat” as Iran fired several barrages of missiles, mainly targeting areas near Tel Aviv and central Israel. Sirens sounded across the country on Saturday as Israeli media reported a direct hit on a building in central Israel, citing emergency services. 

Israeli media reported early Sunday morning local time that a woman wounded earlier by an Iranian missile impact has died. The Israeli military said another barrage was fired towards Israel late Saturday night.

Iraq

The Kurdistan Region’s Counterterrorism Unit said it shot down a number of missiles and drones over Erbil, the official Iraqi News Agency reported.

US troops are stationed at an air base at the city’s airport and there are around 2,000 US troops in Iraq overall.

Syria

Syrian authorities said four people were killed in a “missile explosion” in the southern city of Suwayda, the official SANA news outlet reported. The outlet also published photos of a downed missile in Quneitra, near the Israeli border, describing it as “a result of the strikes between Israel and Iran.”

Palestinian Territories

Palestinian Authority police said shrapnel fell in four areas of the occupied West Bank. The debris was reported in Hebron and Bethlehem in the south, Nablus in the north, and the Palestinian Authority’s administrative capital, Ramallah, in the center of the territory.

No injuries have been reported so far.

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