As the military conflict between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other enters its fifth day, Iran continues to launch missile and drone strikes against multiple targets in the Gulf. Officials in the region have repeatedly asserted that the Gulf’s air defense systems were able to intercept most incoming threats.
Several Gulf states announced dozens of missile and drone interceptions, but limited damage was reported in individual incidents. Governments emphasized that their militaries remain fully prepared to protect their national airspace and critical infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia
Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, announced on Wednesday that the air defense force intercepted and destroyed nine unmanned aircraft shortly after entering Saudi airspace.
Al-Maliki later confirmed that two cruise missiles had been intercepted and destroyed in Khalj province, about 80 kilometers southeast of the capital Riyadh. He also reported intercepting and destroying additional drones in the Eastern Province.
In a related development, official officials from the Ministry of Energy said that the Ras Tanura refinery was the target of an attempted drone attack early on Wednesday morning. Officials confirmed that no damage had occurred and oil supplies were not affected.
qatar
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that the country had been targeted by numerous drones and two cruise missiles fired from Iran.
The attack involved 10 drones and two cruise missiles, the ministry said. Qatar Emiri Air Defense Force intercepted six drones.
The Qatari Emiri Air Force successfully intercepted two additional drones and two cruise missiles, and the Qatari Emiri Navy responded to the remaining two drones.
The ministry stressed that the Qatari Armed Forces is equipped with all the necessary capabilities and resources to protect the country’s sovereignty and territory and respond decisively to any external threats.
Kuwait
The Kuwaiti Armed Forces said it had responded to a wave of missiles and drones detected in the country’s airspace.
Kuwait’s Armed Forces General Staff said in a statement that the armed forces are carrying out the mission of intercepting and neutralizing targets, stressing their full readiness to confront any threats and ensure the security of the country’s territory, airspace, people and residents.
Separately, Kuwait’s Ministry of Health announced that a child resident died after being injured by falling debris in a residential area in the capital province.
The ministry’s official spokesperson, Dr. Abdullah Al Sanad, said emergency medical services at Al Amiri Hospital received an 11-year-old girl who was hit by falling debris in a residential area. However, she died from her injuries.
united arab emirates
The UAE Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted three ballistic missiles and detected 129 unmanned aerial vehicles. Of these, 121 were intercepted and 8 fell on the territory.
The ministry said 189 ballistic missiles headed for the UAE have been detected since the start of Iranian attacks. 175 aircraft were destroyed, 13 fell into the sea and one landed in Emirati territory.
In addition to detecting and destroying eight cruise missiles, authorities also reported detecting 941 Iranian drones, of which 876 were intercepted and 65 landed in the country.
The attack caused some collateral damage, killed three people and injured 78 people, most of them with minor injuries, the ministry said.
bahrain
The General Headquarters of the Bahrain Defense Forces announced that 74 missiles and 95 hostile drones have been destroyed since the start of Iranian attacks on the country.
The command said in a statement that all air defense systems remained on maximum alert to respond immediately and decisively to missile and drone attacks, which it described as “continued and unwarranted Iranian aggression.”
He added that specialized field teams quickly secured the attack site to ensure public safety, and air defense systems maintained the highest level of readiness.
The command stressed that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure with missiles and drones is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter, and affirmed Bahrain’s legitimate right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.
Maritime incident near Hormuz
Separately, the Omani Navy responded to reports that a Maltese-flagged cargo ship was attacked by two missiles near the Strait of Hormuz.
Authorities announced that the 24 crew members of the ship were rescued, received the necessary medical care, and all were confirmed to be in good health.
