A pastoral appeal from the Gulf: ‘Remain calm and serene.’
Iran’s retaliation to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 quickly spilled beyond Israel, with missiles and drones aimed at multiple countries hosting U.S. forces and key regional infrastructure as the Middle East braced for a wider confrontation.
Reuters reported strikes or attempted strikes involving Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan, with most incoming projectiles intercepted.
In the UAE, Reuters said loud booms were heard in Abu Dhabi, blasts were reported in Dubai, and one of the city’s “plush hotel districts” was hit, bringing the conflict into heavily populated civilian areas as residents reported shock and confusion during the holy month of Ramadan.
In Bahrain, authorities said a service center linked to the U.S. Fifth Fleet came under attack, and video footage showed smoke rising near the coastline.
Kuwait’s official news agency reported that a drone targeted Kuwait International Airport, causing minor injuries to several employees and limited damage to a passenger terminal, underscoring the spillover risks to civilian aviation facilities.
Beyond this, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said air defenses intercepted projectiles targeting the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province, condemning what it described as Iranian
