Gulf Under Fire: Saudi, UAE Hit by Missiles, Drones as War WidensIEA Warns of ‘Major Crisis’

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reported fresh attacks on Monday morning, with explosions and sirens sounding over the oil-rich Gulf.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Ministry of Defense said it detected two incoming ballistic missiles targeting the capital.

“One of which was intercepted and the other fell in an uninhabited area.”

United Arab Emirates

The UAE defence ministry said it was “currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.”

“The sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones.”

Hours earlier, Abu Dhabi authorities reported an Indian national had been wounded by falling debris from an intercepted ballistic missile.

Bahrain

Sirens sounded in Bahrain, with residents instructed to seek shelter.

“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the interior ministry posted on social media.

The Broader Conflict

Gulf nations that long billed themselves as oases of safety have been drawn into the war as Iran retaliates against US-Israeli strikes.

The Islamic Republic has targeted US assets and civilian infrastructure, including landmarks, airports, ports, and oil facilities around the Gulf.

IEA Warning

International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that “the global economy is facing a major, major threat” and compared the current energy crisis to the 1970s oil shocks and the impact of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

“This crisis as things stand is now two oil crises and one gas crash put all together,” Birol said, adding that no country will be immune to its effects.

Israel’s Strikes

Israel’s military announced it launched “a wide-scale wave of strikes” on Tehran Monday morning.

Iranian media reported explosions ringing out over the capital, while an AFP journalist saw a thick column of black smoke rising at least an hour later.

One person was killed in an overnight US-Israeli attack on a broadcaster in the coastal area of Bandar Abbas, Iranian state-run television reported.

Macron’s Support

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X that he spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to express “solidarity” with the kingdom and reiterate France’s commitment to contributing to air defences against Iranian missiles and drones.

Lebanon Front

• Lebanon’s PM said members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are commanding Hezbollah’s operations.

• Israel’s military will expand ground operations in Lebanon, its army chief said, warning the offensive “has only (just) begun.”

• An Israeli civilian was killed near the Lebanese border; the military is investigating whether it was from its own fire.

• Lebanon’s president slammed Israeli strikes on bridges and infrastructure as “a prelude to a ground invasion.”

Iraq Front

Three strikes targeted an influential pro-Iranian armed group in its stronghold south of Baghdad.

The strikes came after an attack targeted a US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport.

Kataeb Hezbollah said it would extend its five-day pause on attacking the US embassy in Baghdad.

West Bank

Palestinian residents said Israeli settlers torched buildings and cars in attacks on several villages in the occupied West Bank.

The Bottom Line

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrainno Gulf nation is untouched.

The IEA warns of a global economic threat. Macron pledges air defence support. Israel says “weeks” more fighting lie ahead.

And the war shows no signs of slowing.

{Source: IOL}

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