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)
TT

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.



Germany, France Call on Iran to Cease Attacks on Gulf

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)
TT

Germany, France Call on Iran to Cease Attacks on Gulf

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026. (Reuters)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called on Iran to "immediately stop" its "indiscriminate attacks", while predicting that the country's rule by clerics was coming to an end with the death of supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Germany shares Iranians' "relief" to see the "mullah regime come to an end", Merz said, though he cautioned that the killing of Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes on Tehran had set Iran on a path to an "uncertain future".

France slammed Iran's "massive and unjustifiable" attacks on the Gulf states and Jordan Sunday, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot saying they were being "drawn into a war they did not choose".

"I have expressed to each of them France's unequivocal condemnation, full solidarity and complete support," he added in a post on X.

- 'Day after' in Iran - 

Merz also called on US and European partners to start planning for the future of Iran and the region, saying the people of Iran deserved a better future after US and Israeli strikes killed its supreme leader. 

Merz said his government agreed with ‌US goals ‌to end Tehran's nuclear armament ‌and ⁠finish a "destructive game" ⁠being played by Iran, but he warned of possible dangers ahead. 

"This is not without risk. We do not know how far the region will be drawn into escalation by ⁠Iran's harsh counterstrikes," Merz told ‌reporters. 

Pointing to some ‌reservations over the US and Israeli actions, ‌Merz said now was not the ‌time to lecture partners and allies, despite doubts. 

"We want to work with our partners in the US, Israel, the region, ‌and Europe to develop an agenda for the day after," ⁠said Merz. 

His ⁠four aims were to ensure peace and stability in the region, to get Iran to end its nuclear and ballistic missile program, to contribute to a stable future for Iran and to help Iranians decide their own fate. 

Merz also said Germany would not tolerate attacks on US or Israeli institutions in the country. 


Saudi Arabia, GCC Slam Iranian Attack on Oman

A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP file)
A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP file)
TT

Saudi Arabia, GCC Slam Iranian Attack on Oman

A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP file)
A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP file)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Sunday the “flagrant” Iranian attack against Oman, saying it was a blatant violation of its sovereignty.

It stressed its full solidarity with Oman and readiness to place all its capabilities at the Sultanate's disposal in support of any measures it may take.

It warned of the serious consequences of Iran’s continued violations of the sovereignty of nations, which undermine the security and stability of the region.

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to take firm positions and decisive measures against Iranian violations.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also condemned the attack on Oman.

"These assaults constitute a flagrant violation of the Sultanate of Oman’s sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that undermines regional security and stability, while threatening the safety of maritime navigation and global energy supplies," he stressed.

Albudaiwi said that “the treacherous military operations launched by Iran against the council states reflect its intentions toward the GCC and the region at large.”

The GCC states had previously conveyed assurances to the Iranian regime, through various meetings and occasions, that they would not permit the use of their territories or airspace for any military operations against Iran, he added.

He stressed that Iran’s targeting of civilian facilities is a major breach of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Albudaiwi underscored the GCC’s full solidarity with Oman in all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty and safeguard its security and stability, reiterating the council’s rejection of all forms of aggression targeting the security of its member states.


Mediator Oman’s FM Urges Ceasefire on Call with Iran’s Araghchi

In this handout photo released by the Iran's Foreign Ministry on February 26, 2026, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) speaks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during their meeting in Geneva. (Iran's Foreign Ministry / AFP)
In this handout photo released by the Iran's Foreign Ministry on February 26, 2026, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) speaks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during their meeting in Geneva. (Iran's Foreign Ministry / AFP)
TT

Mediator Oman’s FM Urges Ceasefire on Call with Iran’s Araghchi

In this handout photo released by the Iran's Foreign Ministry on February 26, 2026, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) speaks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during their meeting in Geneva. (Iran's Foreign Ministry / AFP)
In this handout photo released by the Iran's Foreign Ministry on February 26, 2026, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) speaks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during their meeting in Geneva. (Iran's Foreign Ministry / AFP)

Oman's foreign minister, who had been mediating US-Iran talks, on Sunday urged a ceasefire on a call with his Iranian counterpart, as Tehran launched a second day of strikes in response to ongoing US-Israeli air raids.

Badr Albusaidi "affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's continued call for a ceasefire and a return to dialogue... in a manner that achieves the legitimate demands of all parties," Oman's foreign ministry said in a readout of a call with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

On Sunday in Oman, which had been the only Gulf state spared from attack during the first day of the Iranian campaign, the port of Duqm was targeted by two Iranian drones, injuring one foreign worker, official state media reported.

According to the Oman foreign ministry statement, Araghchi said Iran was "calling for peace," and voiced "the openness of the Iranian side to any serious efforts that contribute to stopping the escalation and returning to stability".