Several Gulf nations experienced explosions and property damage Saturday evening when Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones across the region, intensifying conflicts connected to the wider war involving Israel and the United States.
Residents in Bahrain heard multiple powerful explosions throughout the capital city of Manama and surrounding areas. Officials confirmed the Iranian assault ignited a blaze and damaged residential structures and neighboring buildings. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry released a statement saying, “Civil defense is taking steps to control the fire.”
News crews across the Gulf region documented blasts in various locations. CNN personnel stationed in Qatar reported hearing multiple loud explosions, while correspondents in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, witnessed no fewer than three separate detonations.
According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense, an Iranian ballistic missile targeted Prince Sultan Air Base but landed in an unpopulated zone.
The UAE’s National Security Council announced that protective systems had been deployed against approaching dangers. Through a post on X, the council stated, “Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat,” while advising citizens to “remain in a safe location.”
UAE defense officials confirmed their nation faced assault from Iranian-launched drones and missiles.
For the first time since hostilities began, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed spoke publicly about the crisis, declaring that “the United Arab Emirates is in good condition, the military has performed a praiseworthy role.” He continued: “We are in a time of war and I pledge to fulfill our duty to defend our country and our people. I promise everyone that the United Arab Emirates will emerge stronger.”
A high-ranking UAE official stated Iran’s assault on nearby Gulf nations “create a huge trust gap that will persist for decades ahead.” The official noted that “any new arrangement reached in negotiations with Iran will no longer be limited to the nuclear issue — missiles are now at the center stage.”
These declarations from the UAE and fellow Gulf nations followed Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, releasing an earlier statement expressing remorse for the Gulf State attacks and vowing to end them.
“I should apologize to the neighboring countries that were attacked by Iran, on my own behalf,” Pezeshkian stated, attributing the attacks to insufficient oversight of military operations.
“From now on, they should not attack neighboring countries or fire missiles at them unless we are attacked by those countries. I think we should solve this through diplomacy.”
Iranian officials have maintained their Gulf state operations targeted American military installations and US-connected infrastructure as payback for last week’s US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
