SITREP
Evacuations from High-Risk Locations Call +44 (0)1202 308810 or Contact Us →
Sustained Iranian Attacks Reshape Gulf Security
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | INTELLIGENCE WINDOW: 14 Mar 2026 – 15 Mar 2026
- Since 28 February, Iran has conducted missile and attack drone strikes against targets in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman in response to joint US and Israeli airstrikes inside Iran. The attacks have continued into 15 March.
- Iranian officials have reiterated threats to target US and Israeli private companies across the region, characterising these attacks as “retaliatory” for potential future US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure.
- On 15 March, Iran reportedly fired six missiles and 34 drones against targets located in Saudi Arabia. Since 12 March, the volume of Iranian strikes targeting Saudi Arabia has increased.
- Iran continues strikes against civilian targets, economic assets and critical national infrastructure. Attacks have resulted in material damage at airports, ports, desalination plants, international hotels, government offices, oil and gas infrastructure, and locations hosting US military personnel.
- The rate of Iranian ballistic missiles fired at the Gulf states has decreased since 28 February. However, attack drone use has remained high, with the threat of attack drone strikes likely to remain high in the short-to-medium term. Heavy air defence interceptor usage is likely reducing stockpiles in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, potentially forcing air defences to prioritise targets and increasing the likelihood of successful penetrations.
- As of 15 March, the airspace remains closed in Kuwait. Bahrain and Qatar are allowing limited flights, requiring prior permission. The UAE’s airspace has restricted access by way of Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) zones; Saudi Arabia’s airspace has a partial closure affecting the area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Oman and Jordan’s airspaces remain open.
Middle East Conflict: Latest Intelligence & Travel Advice
To support planning, we are updating our Middle East travel advice daily with guidance from our intelligence team on airspace openings and closures, flight operations, and escalating risks impacting movement.
Situation Update: Iran Continues Missile and Drone Attacks Across the Gulf
On 28 February, Iran initiated ballistic missile and attack drone strikes targeting Israel and US military facilities and sites known to host US military personnel across the Middle East, in response to joint US and Israeli airstrikes inside Iran. The targeting pattern of Iranian strikes has evolved to increasingly include civilian-profile targets such as hotels, international airports, and critical national infrastructure. Iranian strikes have continued into 15 March.
Iranian officials have reiterated threats to target US and Israeli private companies across the region, characterising these attacks as “retaliatory” for potential future US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure.
As of 15 March, there is a total closure of airspace in Kuwait. Bahrain is enabling some departures from Bahrain International Airport (BAH / OBBI) following a specific route, with prior permission. The UAE’s airspace has restricted access by way of Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) zones. In Qatar, the airspace remains restricted, although arrivals and departures via defined waypoints are now allowed after permission has been given. The airspace remains closed to overflights. Saudi Arabia’s airspace has a partial closure affecting the area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Oman’s airspace remains open, with Muscat becoming the preferred airport among airlines in the region wishing to perform relief flights. Jordan’s airspace remains open, but aircraft are advised to carry extra fuel in case of delays.
Saudi Arabia
On 15 March, Saudi Arabian defence officials stated that air defences had intercepted at least 34 attack drones and six missiles over Al-Kharj, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province. Following the Saudi announcement of the interception of a wave of ten drones, channels associated with the IRGC claimed that “this attack [had] no connection to the Islamic Republic of Iran.” However, these claims were not substantiated by any evidence.
Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia have increased in intensity since 12 March, with the areas most targeted being Riyadh, Al-Kharj, where the Prince Sultan Air Base is located, and the Eastern Province, where key Saudi oil refineries are located.
At least two people have been killed and 12 injured in Saudi Arabia as of 06:00 UTC on 15 March.
As of 15 March, Saudi Arabia’s airspace has a partial closure affecting the area bordering Iraq and the Persian Gulf; however, this does not affect commercial flights departing major Saudi airports.
Kuwait
Early 15 March, Kuwaiti state media stated that air defences intercepted five attack drones over the previous 24 hours. Overnight 14-15 March, Kuwait International Airport’s (KWI / OKKK) radar system was reportedly impacted by multiple attack drones. Earlier attack drone strikes injured three soldiers and caused structural damage near Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base. On 14 March, Kuwait’s cybersecurity agency stated that it is monitoring for possible attacks and will announce “transparently” if vulnerabilities or attacks are detected.
At least six people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Kuwait, as of 06:00 UTC on 15 March.
As of 15 March, the airspace remains closed in Kuwait.
Bahrain
Overnight 14-15 March, air raid sirens were activated, and air defences reportedly intercepted Iranian “projectiles” targeting a “facility” in southern Bahrain. Unverified videos show a large fire burning at the Isa Air Base used by US troops in southern Bahrain following an alleged Iranian strike.
Late 14 March, Bahrain reported six new arrests of people for sharing videos of Iranian attacks. Five people were also reportedly arrested on suspicion of passing sensitive information to the Iranian military.
At least two people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Bahrain, as of 06:00 UTC on 15 March.
As of 15 March, the Bahraini airspace is heavily restricted. On 13 March, Bahrain amended its airspace closure, enabling some departures from Bahrain International Airport (BAH / OBBI) following a specific route, with prior permission.
Qatar
On 14 March, the Ministry of Defence stated that Qatar was targeted with four ballistic missiles and several drones, all of which were successfully intercepted.
At least 16 people have been injured in Qatar, as of 06:00 UTC on 15 March.
As of 15 March, the airspace remains heavily restricted in Qatar. Arrivals and departures via defined waypoints are now allowed after permission has been given. The airspace is still closed for overflights.
UAE
On 15 March, UAE officials stated that they had intercepted six missiles and four drones launched by Iranian forces towards the UAE. The UAE also assesses that, since the start of the conflict, Iran fired at least 298 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1606 attack drones towards UAE territory, resulting in six deaths.
On 15 March, international media reported that oil loading operations had resumed at Fujairah port, following a fire caused by an attack drone impact on 14 March.
Iranian media linked to the IRGC has advised residents of the UAE to evacuate ports, labelling them “legitimate targets”, following US strikes in Kharg Island. In a follow-up statement, the same media outlet warned residents to “immediately move away” from Jebel Ali, Khalifa, and Fujairah port areas due to likely impending attacks.
At least 20 people, including a British tourist, have been charged under cybercrime laws for allegedly filming Iranian strikes over Dubai, according to the UK Foreign Office. On 14 March, Abu Dhabi police stated that they had arrested 45 people of various nationalities for filming and posting on social media.
At least six people have been killed and 141 injured in the UAE, as of 06:00 UTC on 15 March.
As of 15 March, the UAE’s airspace has restricted access by way of Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) zones.
Oman
At least three people have been killed and 15 injured in Oman, as of 06:00 UTC on 15 March.
Oman is currently assessed to have a lower conflict-related risk profile compared to the neighbouring United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Omani airspace remains open. As a result, Oman is being used by airlines and international governments as a base for repatriation flights. There is considerably elevated demand for flights running from Oman.
As of 15 March, the airspace remains open in Oman.
Regional Advisory
Further Iranian strikes remain highly likely in the near term. While US military installations likely remain the highest priority target, Iranian strikes will also likely continue targeting civilian-profile sites. Iran has continued strikes against civilian-profile targets and economic interests, airports, including oil and gas infrastructure and desalination facilities. Iranian officials have repeatedly threatened to carry out further attacks on US and Israeli-linked companies across the region. Iranian officials have characterised these attacks as “retaliatory” and warned that they would follow possible future US and Israeli attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure.
While interception rates overall remain high, there have been numerous recorded cases of projectiles penetrating air defences. There is also a high risk of secondary impacts, including debris from intercepted threats, further extended airspace closures, maritime traffic interference, and wider transport and commercial disruption across the region.
Reporting indicates that the volume of Iranian ballistic missiles fired at the Gulf states has significantly diminished since 28 February, almost certainly due to expended ballistic missile stockpiles and the destruction of transporter erector launchers (TELs) by US-Israeli strikes. However, attack drone use has remained high, with the threat of attack drone strikes likely to remain high in the short-to-medium term. Despite diminishing stockpiles of projectiles, Iranian forces almost certainly remain available to launch high-volume strikes against Gulf States.
Sustained Iranian attack drone and missile strikes are likely to result in critical shortages of air defence interceptors across the region, especially in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. Critical shortages in air defence interceptors will likely force air defence systems to prioritise targets and increase the likelihood of successful penetrations. Furthermore, Iranian strikes have damaged regional air defence infrastructure, including radar systems critical for early warning, target acquisition, and tracking, likely degrading detection capabilities and reducing reaction times for air defence systems. Russian intelligence sharing with Iran will likely enable Iran to better identify vulnerabilities in regional air defence networks and refine targeting for future strikes.
It is highly advised not to film or distribute footage of strikes, damage or military activity. In the UAE, authorities have warned that publishing or circulating “rumours, false news, or news from unknown sources through social media platforms or other information technology” is illegal, with at least 45 people being arrested so far, including a British tourist who allegedly filmed missile strikes in Dubai. The sharp increase in the number of arrests indicates a likely crackdown on social media activity.
In Bahrain, at least two individuals have been confirmed as arrested for “filming, live streaming, clipping, and publishing events in a manner constituting a legal violation”. Qatar’s Ministry of Interior warned that gathering at incident sites or photographing and sharing content related to field developments may result in legal accountability, and has arrested at least 313 people of various nationalities for “producing and sharing misleading information”. Omani authorities have stated: “Beware of sharing or publishing any captured photos or videos. They should be shared only with the competent authorities”.
Request Evacuation Assistance
If you need secure, coordinated support to move personnel out of a high-risk location, our team is ready to help – quickly, calmly, and with care.