Iran has carried out new attacks across several Gulf countries despite earlier statements about halting hostilities. On Sunday, reports emerged of fresh strikes in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said it intercepted 15 drones, while Kuwait’s military confirmed a drone attack on fuel tanks at its international airport that killed two firefighters.

Kuwait’s armed forces stated on social media that its air defense systems were actively countering hostile missile and drone assaults, adding that explosions heard in the area were due to interception operations. Following the incident, Kuwait’s national oil company announced a precautionary reduction in crude oil production.

The renewed attacks have heightened tensions across the Gulf region, with Iran’s actions contradicting its earlier assurances to stop offensive operations, according to the report sourced from The Guardian.

Iran has launched a series of missile attacks across Israel, according to reports published on March 8, 2026. The Israeli military confirmed that it detected missiles fired from Tehran and is actively working to intercept them through its defense systems. Israel’s Home Front Command issued mobile alerts to residents in affected areas, urging them to act responsibly and follow safety instructions to protect their lives.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini stated that Iran’s armed forces are capable of sustaining intense combat for at least six months at the current pace. This claim was reported by Iran’s semi-official news agency. The situation marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two countries, with both sides signaling readiness for prolonged confrontation.

The ongoing missile exchanges have raised concerns about regional stability, though the immediate impact and potential diplomatic responses remain unclear.

Bahrain and Iraq have kept their airspace closed, leading to a temporary suspension of flights through Bahrain International Airport. The closure has caused major disruptions to international flight schedules, particularly on routes between Asia and Europe, as airlines are forced to take longer alternative paths.

The closures follow escalating tensions in the Middle East after recent retaliatory attacks involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which have made the region’s skies highly unsafe. Earlier, Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates had also announced partial or full airspace closures due to the same security concerns.

Hundreds of flights to and through the Middle East have already been canceled. Aviation experts warn that if the conflict continues, global airfares and cargo transport costs could rise sharply. Authorities in the affected countries are closely monitoring the situation, and flights are unlikely to resume until full safety is ensured.

Kuwait’s Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday evening. During the call, both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in military and defense sectors between the two countries.

According to a statement from Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense, the discussion focused on boosting regional security and defense capabilities. The ministers also exchanged views on various joint initiatives and potential areas for future collaboration aimed at strengthening bilateral defense ties.

Both parties emphasized the importance of further consolidating the existing strategic relationship between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, reflecting their shared interest in maintaining stability and security in the region.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned what he described as ongoing illegal attacks across the Middle East, warning on Friday that the situation could soon spiral out of control as the conflict spreads to multiple countries. His remarks followed a series of airstrikes launched by the United States and Israeli forces against Iran on February 28, to which Iran responded with retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf states. Washington said the operation aimed to counter Tehran’s nuclear and missile threats.

Guterres said the continuing attacks were causing immense suffering for ordinary people and posing serious risks to the global economy, particularly for vulnerable populations. He urged all sides to halt fighting immediately and begin meaningful diplomatic negotiations.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher added that the war was consuming about one billion dollars daily, while political leaders were cutting aid budgets for those most in need. He warned that the conflict was disrupting markets and supply chains, driving up food prices, and hitting the poorest communities hardest.

Israel has continued its assaults on Palestinians even as it carries out joint military aggression with the United States against Iran. According to reports, Israeli forces have launched simultaneous attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. Despite a ceasefire announced on October 10 last year through mediation by US President Donald Trump, Israeli forces have continued to strike Palestinian areas.

A statement from the Palestinian Health Ministry said that in the past 24 hours, three Palestinians were killed and one injured in Israeli attacks. Over the five months since the ceasefire, 636 people have been killed and 1,704 injured, while 753 bodies have been recovered. In total, more than 72,120 people have been killed and 171,802 injured in Israeli assaults over the past two years.

Following the outbreak of conflict with Iran, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, closing all entry and exit routes. Israeli authorities also banned Friday prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing security reasons, and arrested 11 people across the region.

The United Nations refugee agency has reported that more than 330,000 people have been displaced across the Middle East due to ongoing warfare. According to the agency, around 100,000 people have fled from Tehran, while over 84,000 have been displaced within Lebanon. Additionally, approximately 118,000 people have relocated to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Although internal displacement within Iran is significantly higher, the number of people crossing international borders remains comparatively low.

During the same period, more than 30,000 people have entered Syria from Lebanon, according to the report cited by Al Jazeera. The situation reflects the widespread humanitarian impact of the conflict across multiple countries in the region, with Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Pakistan all affected by large-scale population movements.

The report underscores the growing regional instability and the strain on neighboring countries as they manage the influx of displaced populations.

Iran carried out a series of missile attacks targeting Israel early Thursday morning, prompting thousands of Israelis to take shelter in bomb shelters. According to Israel’s emergency services cited by AFP, there were no immediate reports of casualties. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem, and within two hours, three separate alerts were issued. In some areas, the military advised residents to leave shelters after the warnings were lifted.

The attacks come as Iran announced plans to intensify strikes against Israeli and U.S. installations across the Middle East. The escalation follows ongoing hostilities in the region, including recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon that killed five people, among them a Hamas leader. The situation has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.

No immediate information was available on the scale of damage or Israel’s potential response to the Iranian missile attacks.

The Arab League has condemned Iran’s attacks on neighboring Arab countries, describing them as a clear violation of international law. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the assaults not only breach international law but also strike at the fundamental principles of good neighborly relations.

Gheit added that Iran’s aggression has created an unprecedented hostility between Tehran and Arab nations, which could have a profound impact on future relations among these states. He emphasized that while Arab countries recognize the internal crisis Iran is facing, such challenges cannot justify attacks on any sovereign state.

The statement underscores growing regional tension following the reported Iranian strikes, with the Arab League warning of long-term consequences for diplomatic and security dynamics in the Middle East.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for maximum restraint in the Middle East following recent attacks by the United States and Israel. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned that escalating conflict could heighten the risk of radioactive exposure in the region, urging all parties to act cautiously.

According to the agency, satellite imagery analysis showed no damage to Iranian facilities storing nuclear materials, indicating no immediate risk of radioactive leakage. However, two buildings near the Natanz nuclear site in Isfahan sustained visible damage, though the IAEA confirmed no major impact or nuclear threat was detected. The agency also reported no evidence of damage at other Iranian nuclear sites, including the Bushehr power plant in the southeast.

The IAEA stated it continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing that restraint by all sides is essential to prevent security and environmental risks across the Middle East.

Israel has launched new attacks on Iran while Iran fired missiles toward Israel amid ongoing hostilities. The developments were reported on Wednesday through Al Jazeera’s live broadcast. The Israeli military confirmed that missiles were fired from Iran and said its defense systems were activated to intercept them. Civilians were instructed to remain in protective shelters until further notice.

Israel claimed responsibility for renewed strikes inside Iran, following earlier attacks on Tuesday that reportedly targeted the Iranian presidential complex and residences of senior leaders. Since February 28, multiple sources have reported joint U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, with reports alleging the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family. Tehran has vowed retaliatory attacks on Israeli and U.S. bases across the Middle East.

According to a human rights organization, around 1,100 civilians have been killed in Iran, while more than 50 deaths have been reported in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has also fired missiles at Israel and faced Israeli counterstrikes in Beirut.

Arab leaders are facing severe consequences after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering a regional war that has engulfed much of the Arab world. The killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei marked a turning point, prompting Iran to unleash its vast missile and drone arsenal despite lacking advanced air power. U.S. military bases across the Middle East, from Cyprus to Bahrain, have come under Iranian attack, exposing the limits of Washington’s security guarantees to its Arab allies.

The conflict has destabilized oil-rich Arab states, disrupted energy supplies, and driven up global fuel prices. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and drone strikes on Saudi and Qatari energy facilities have intensified market turmoil. For Bangladesh, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern remittances and fuel imports, the war poses grave risks. Millions of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar may lose jobs, while rising oil prices threaten inflation and trade costs.

Analysts cited in the report warn that the war could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics, strain Arab economies, and trigger long-term global energy and financial instability.

The Gaza crossing was reopened for the first time following a joint United States and Israeli attack on Iran, according to the report published on March 3, 2026. The route is described as crucial for delivering food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza. Israeli forces had previously closed the crossing after the conflict involving Iran began.

The closure had severely restricted the entry of relief supplies, leading to rapidly depleting food and fuel reserves in Gaza. The United Nations and other organizations had warned that the blockade could trigger an acute food crisis if not resolved. The reopening marks a significant development in efforts to restore humanitarian access to the enclave.

The report also referenced related regional tensions, including threats from Iran to target economic centers and statements from the United States offering new explanations for the attack on Iran.

Several Gulf countries have disclosed the number of missiles and drones intercepted amid ongoing retaliatory attacks following joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran. According to CNN, Kuwait intercepted 178 ballistic missiles and 384 drones, while the UAE reported intercepting 169 of 182 detected missiles and 645 drones, with 44 hitting domestic areas. Bahrain intercepted 70 missiles and 76 drones, and Qatar reported intercepting 101 of 104 detected missiles and 24 of 39 drones, as well as destroying two Iranian SU-24 bombers. Saudi Arabia did not release total figures but confirmed intercepting eight drones near Riyadh and Al-Kharj. Oman reported two drone strikes at Duqm port and a tanker hit near Musandam’s coast.

The figures highlight the defensive capabilities of Gulf nations amid heightened regional tensions. Their air defense systems have played a key role in protecting civilian areas during the ongoing escalation.

The report underscores the strategic importance of Gulf defense networks in maintaining regional stability during the current conflict.

Missile attacks from Iran struck several Gulf capitals and cities following a U.S.-Israeli offensive in Iran that killed top Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes caused casualties and damage across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, shaking the region’s image of stability. The United Arab Emirates withdrew its envoy from Israel, signaling frustration over the escalating conflict.

Despite the attacks, Gulf nations are voicing reluctance to join a direct war against Iran. Former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani warned that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members should not be drawn into direct conflict, arguing it would harm both sides and invite external control. Gulf Times editor Faisal Al-Mudahka echoed that the war belongs to the U.S. and Israel, not the Gulf states, emphasizing their focus on prosperity and dialogue.

Analysts note that Gulf countries had pursued diplomatic efforts to prevent war, with Oman mediating between Washington and Tehran before hostilities erupted. Experts suggest that while the Gulf states seek to avoid escalation, they may still act to protect their sovereignty and citizens.