More Explosions Heard in Dubai, Doha and Manama

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah inspects the procedures for dealing with the damage at Kuwait International Airport (KUNA)
Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah inspects the procedures for dealing with the damage at Kuwait International Airport (KUNA)
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More Explosions Heard in Dubai, Doha and Manama

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah inspects the procedures for dealing with the damage at Kuwait International Airport (KUNA)
Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah inspects the procedures for dealing with the damage at Kuwait International Airport (KUNA)

Fresh blasts were heard across the Gulf cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama on Sunday morning after a day of Iranian strikes in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks.

AFP reporters heard blasts in Dubai, Bahrain's capital Manama and Qatar -- where AFP correspondents saw thick black smoke rising on the clear morning horizon in the south of the city.

The new explosions came after a day of deadly Iranian strikes in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi, as well as hits on military bases and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf -- except for mediator Oman.

Iran's attacks on the Gulf raised fears of a wider conflict and rattled a region long seen as a haven of peace and security in the turbulent Middle East.

On Saturday, across the UAE, Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones at the territory, the country's defense ministry said, with fires and smoke reaching landmarks The Palm and Burj Al Arab.

At Abu Dhabi's airport, at least one person was killed and seven wounded during what the facility's authority called an "incident". Dubai airport, the world's busiest for international traffic and Kuwait's airport were also hit.

In Qatar, officials said Iran had launched 65 missiles and 12 drones towards the Gulf state, most of which were intercepted, but eight people were injured in the salvos, with one of them in critical condition.

On the first day of the strikes, smoke poured from US bases in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain's capital Manama, home of the American navy's Fifth Fleet, witnesses saw, with bases also targeted in Kuwait.

In Manama, the Iranian attacks saw drones and shrapnel slam into residential buildings, with video on social media showing smoke and fire from high-rises.

Saturday's unprecedented barrage also targeted Qatar's Al Udeid base, the region's biggest US military base, as well as Riyadh and eastern Saudi Arabia.



Kuwait Intercepts Iranian Missiles and Drones

TOPSHOT - This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)
TOPSHOT - This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)
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Kuwait Intercepts Iranian Missiles and Drones

TOPSHOT - This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)
TOPSHOT - This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)

Kuwait said Sunday that Iran was targeting it with missile and drone strikes.

The country’s army said in a statement that its air defenses had been activated “following the sinful Iranian aggression.” The attacks came after more than a week of Iran and the United States trading strikes.

Chief of the General Staff said in a statement that Kuwait's “air defenses were intercepting hostile missiles and drones following a criminal Iranian aggression."

It said explosions that could be heard were the result of air defense systems intercepting the incoming attacks.

Authorities voiced calls on all citizens and residents to follow the security instructions issued by the relevant authorities and monitor official guidance. They have not so far reported any casualties or damage resulting from the attacks.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran's Continued Aggression on Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran's Continued Aggression on Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Saturday Iran's continued aggression on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan reaffirming the Kingdom's full support for the brotherly countries in all measures they take in response to the flagrant Iranian attacks, which violate international law.

The Kingdom also reiterated its utter rejection of Iran's blatant attacks on infrastructure and civilian and vital facilities, including a power and water desalination plant in Kuwait.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to all forms of military escalation, in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region's countries and their peoples.


Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Kuwaiti Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Kuwaiti Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

During the call, the two ministers condemned the heinous Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait and several other countries in the region.

They also discussed the latest regional developments and the two countries' efforts to preserve regional security and stability.