In an unprecedented escalation, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states following the US-Israeli military operation that began on February 28, 2026. This marked the first time in history that Iran directly attacked all GCC nations simultaneously.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia bore significant brunt of Iran’s retaliation. The Kingdom reported intercepting and destroying four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh, the capital. An attempted drone attack on a gas facility in the Eastern Province was also thwarted.
In response, Saudi Arabia took the dramatic step of declaring Iranian diplomatic staff, including the military attaché, persona non grata, ordering them to leave the country within 24 hours. Saudi air defenses, bolstered by US Patriot missile systems, remained on high alert.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE experienced multiple strikes targeting both military installations and civilian infrastructure. Abu Dhabi and Dubai — major global business and tourism hubs — saw unprecedented security lockdowns.
The attacks on UAE soil raised particular alarm given the country’s position as a global financial center and aviation hub, with Emirates and Etihad airlines temporarily suspending operations.
Qatar
Qatar, home to the largest US military base in the Middle East (Al Udeid Air Base), was a primary target. Explosions were reported across the country as Iranian missiles targeted military and civilian sites.
Qatar’s position was complicated by its historically warmer relations with Iran compared to other Gulf states, making it an unlikely but significant target.
Kuwait
Kuwait, which hosts several US military facilities and still carries the memory of Iraq’s 1990 invasion, experienced strikes that brought back echoes of the Gulf War. Iranian missiles targeted military infrastructure associated with US force presence.
Bahrain
Bahrain, headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, was heavily targeted. The small island nation’s strategic importance as a naval hub made it a priority target for Iranian forces seeking to disrupt US military operations in the Gulf.
Oman
Even Oman, traditionally neutral in Gulf disputes and a frequent mediator between Iran and Western nations, was not spared. Strikes near the Strait of Hormuz area underscored Iran’s strategy of disrupting maritime chokepoints.
The Strategy Behind the Strikes
Military analysts interpret Iran’s decision to strike all GCC states as a deliberate strategy to:
- Demonstrate that no US ally in the region is safe
- Overwhelm regional air defense systems
- Create maximum economic disruption
- Discourage Gulf states from providing basing or logistical support to US operations
- Force a broader international response to end the conflict
Gulf States Military Response
As of late March 2026, Gulf states are actively weighing military options to counter Iran’s ongoing attacks. The GCC, traditionally divided on Iran policy, has shown unprecedented unity in response to the direct attacks on member states’ soil.
Updated: March 25, 2026