Iran Launched 83% of Missiles and Drones at the Gulf Compared to 17% at Israel

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
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Iran Launched 83% of Missiles and Drones at the Gulf Compared to 17% at Israel

Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)
Smoke rises from a high-rise building following a drone attack in Kuwait City on March 8, 2026. (AFP/file photo)

Since the start of the war on February 28, about 83% of missiles and drones launched by Iran have targeted Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, compared to 17% launched at Israel, reports indicate.

Official data shows that by Wednesday night, Iran had launched 4,391 missiles and drones at GCC vital infrastructure and civilian facilities, constituting a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability.

As for Israel, which has initiated the war, it was hit by 930 Iranian missiles and drones or just 17% of the total attacks in the region.

Data shows that Iran has launched a total of 723 missile and drone attacks at Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the conflict.

The United Arab Emirates bore the brunt of Iranian attacks with 2,156 missiles and drones, followed by Kuwait with 791 attacks, Bahrain (429), Qatar (270) and Oman with 22 drone attacks.

Gulf air defense systems have demonstrated exceptional efficiency and professionalism in neutralizing these threats, proving to be an impenetrable shield safeguarding the region’s security and stability.

Arab and Muslim nations condemned the Iranian attacks, urging Tehran to cease aggression and respect international law for regional stability.

But Iran has escalated military operations against GCC countries, directly threatening the global economy and international energy security.



UAE Intercepts 20 Ballistic Missiles and 37 Drones

UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)
UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)
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UAE Intercepts 20 Ballistic Missiles and 37 Drones

UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)
UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)

The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that its air defenses on Saturday intercepted 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones launched toward the country from Iran, in the latest wave of attacks targeting its security and stability.

In a statement, the ministry said its forces successfully intercepted and neutralized the threats with high efficiency, as part of an integrated defense system reflecting a high level of readiness to address various threats.

It added that since the start of the “Iranian attacks,” air defenses have intercepted 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,872 drones in ongoing operations aimed at protecting the country’s airspace.

The ministry said the attacks resulted in the deaths of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as a Moroccan civilian contractor with the military. Eight other civilians were also killed, of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian nationalities.

It added that 178 people were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to severe, including nationals from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden, and Tunisia.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared to respond to any threats, stressing it will act “decisively” against anything that could undermine the country’s security, ensuring the protection of its sovereignty and national interests.


Saudi Arabia: Two Drones Intercepted and Destroyed in Recent Hours

Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Arabia: Two Drones Intercepted and Destroyed in Recent Hours

Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Major General Turki Al-Malki, said two drones were intercepted and destroyed in the past hours.

Al-Malki said air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed the two drones, affirming continued readiness to counter any threats targeting the Kingdom’s security.

Saudi air defenses also intercepted, on Friday, six ballistic missiles and 26 drones in the Riyadh and Eastern regions, according to the Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Malki.

Al-Malki said 13 drones were intercepted and destroyed in both the Eastern Province and Riyadh, with interception debris falling near a military site in the Riyadh region without causing injuries.

The ministry’s spokesperson added that six ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were detected; two were intercepted, while the other four fell into the waters of the Arabian Gulf and in uninhabited areas.

Saudi air defenses had, on Thursday, destroyed 38 drones in the Eastern Province, Al-Malki said.


Drone Attacks Target Kuwait Airport

Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP
Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP
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Drone Attacks Target Kuwait Airport

Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP
Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP

The Kuwait International Airport was hit by drone attacks on Saturday, authorities said.

The Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that the attacks severely damaged the airport’s radar systems.

No casualties were reported, it added.