Iran launched a series of drone and missile attacks on Gulf countries Monday, striking Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq in what appears to be retaliation for recent US and Israeli air strikes. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in regional tensions and have raised concerns about further violence.
In Saudi Arabia, the Defence Ministry reported that several drones targeting the Shaybah oilfields in the Empty Quarter were intercepted. The facility, operated by Aramco, produces more than a million barrels of oil daily. Authorities also shot down two drones north of Riyadh and intercepted a projectile aimed at the city’s diplomatic district.
The UAE experienced attacks as well, with a large fire breaking out in Fujairah after debris from an intercepted projectile fell on the area. Security officials said no casualties were reported in the incident.
Iraq faced multiple drone threats too. Kurdish and federal authorities reported that air defenses at Erbil International Airport successfully intercepted a drone targeting the facility, which hosts US forces. Near Baghdad International Airport, several drones were also shot down. One drone approaching the Victoria Base, a US-operated military compound inside the airport, was intercepted on Monday morning. Earlier, a woman was injured when drones were downed over Baghdad’s Al I’alam neighbourhood.
Officials say the attacks are part of a series of retaliatory strikes from Iran following US and Israeli operations in the region. The incidents have heightened fears of a wider conflict, with Gulf countries on high alert.
Authorities continue to monitor airspace closely, emphasizing that air defence systems are in place to intercept threats. The ongoing Iran drone and missile attacks on Gulf countries highlight the fragile security situation and the potential for further escalation if tensions continue to rise.
