Six days into the war between the United States and Israel on the one hand, and Iran on the other, air defenses from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates intercepted missiles and drones, while Iran continued its attacks on Gulf states.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed three cruise missiles on the outskirts of Al-Khalj city in central Saudi Arabia. Defenders also shot down three drones east of Al-Khalj province.
The ministry’s official spokesperson added that another drone was intercepted and destroyed east of Saudi Arabia’s northern al-Jawf region, close to the border with Jordan.
qatar
Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that the country had been hit by a missile attack and confirmed that the country’s air defense forces were responding to the incoming missile.
In a statement carried by Qatar News Agency, the ministry called on citizens, residents and visitors to remain calm and follow the instructions of security authorities.
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior also announced that authorities had temporarily evacuated residents living around the US embassy as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety. Alternative accommodation has been provided, the ministry said in a statement on its official Platform X account.
Since the US-Israel war against Iran broke out on Saturday, Iranian forces have repeatedly launched missiles and drones into Gulf states, including Qatar.
file a complaint with the United Nations
Qatar sent identical letters to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Michael Walz, the U.S. permanent representative to the U.N. and president of the Security Council in March, detailing the latest Iranian attacks on Qatari territory.
According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Aliyah Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said in a letter that the attack was a “clear violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and a direct threat to Qatar’s security and territorial integrity, warning of an unacceptable escalation that threatens regional stability.
The letter reviewed the details of the ongoing attacks and cited Ministry of Defense statistics showing that Qatar has so far detected three cruise missiles, 101 ballistic missiles, 39 drones and two Su-24 fighter jets.
Qatar announced that its military successfully intercepted three cruise missiles, 98 ballistic missiles, 24 drones and two fighter jets. He stressed that the military has the necessary capabilities to protect the country’s sovereignty and confront all external threats.
The country concluded by strongly condemning the attack and affirming its full right to respond in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter in order to protect its national interests. It also requested that this letter be circulated as an official document of the Security Council.
Kuwait
Kuwait on Thursday denied reports of an incident near Mubarak al-Kabir port, after Iran claimed its Revolutionary Guards attacked a US oil tanker sailing in the Gulf.
Kuwait’s interior ministry said the incident occurred outside the country’s territorial waters and at least 60 kilometers from the port.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that it had received notification of the incident approximately 55 nautical miles south-east of Mubarak Al Kabir Port.
The captain of an oil tanker that was anchored in the area reported hearing and seeing a loud explosion on the port side of the vessel before a small boat was seen leaving the scene.
An oil spill was observed, potentially causing environmental damage, and water also entered the tanker. UKMTO has confirmed that all crew members are safe.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that a fire broke out on the tanker in the northern Gulf.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also reiterated its threat to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that ships from the United States, Israel, European countries and their allies would not be allowed through and could be targeted.
The Strait of Hormuz plays a vital role in global energy trade, with about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments passing through the waterway near Iran’s coast.
Missile attacks against ships have been repeatedly reported in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. Iranian missile and drone threats have largely halted commercial shipping in the region since the latest fighting began.
The US president said the US Navy would escort ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.
united arab emirates
On the sixth day of the conflict, UAE air defense forces detected seven ballistic missiles, intercepted six, and landed one in the country. Authorities also detected 131 drones, intercepted 125 of them, and landed six on Emirati territory.
The attack killed three people from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and slightly injured 94 people from multiple nationalities, including Emiratis, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, Iranians, and Indians.
Reuters reported late Thursday that repeated explosions were heard near Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. The UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority urged residents to move to safe areas and evacuate until the danger passes.
Since the start of the Iranian attack, the UAE said it had detected 196 ballistic missiles and intercepted 181. Thirteen of them fell into the sea and two landed in Japan. Officials also said they had detected 1,072 Iranian drones, intercepted 1,001 and landed 71 on UAE territory. Eight cruise missiles were also intercepted.
The UAE Ministry of Defense said its armed forces are fully prepared to counter any threats and protect the country’s sovereignty, security and stability.
bahrain
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior announced Thursday night that a facility in Mamer district was targeted, adding that authorities responded immediately to the incident.
Earlier, Bahrain’s Armed Forces said it had destroyed 75 missiles and 123 drones targeting Bahrain since the start of the alleged Iranian attack.
The military urged residents to stay indoors unless necessary, avoid photographing military operations or debris scenes, and rely only on official sources of information.
Japan evacuates its citizens
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday that it will use chartered flights to evacuate Japanese nationals from four Middle Eastern countries as the United States and Israel continue their war against Iran.
According to Kyodo News, Tokyo has raised its travel advisory level to level 3 for Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Saudi Arabia and Oman, calling on citizens to avoid all travel.
Japanese nationals wishing to leave the country will be transported by land to Saudi Arabia and Oman before boarding a chartered flight to Tokyo.
