Gulf States: Situation & Travel Update

From 8 April to 4 May, with the implementation of a temporary ceasefire, only isolated attempted attacks continued at reduced rates, primarily originating from Iraqi territory. On 4 May, Iranian forces launched 15 missiles and four attack drones at the oil terminal in Fujairah, UAE, injuring three workers and causing a “large fire” at the facility. This marks the first attacks originating directly from Iran against the Gulf States since 8 April. As of 5 May, no further attacks have been recorded against the Gulf States.  

Omani officials also reported that a building housing workers was damaged by an “attack” in the Tibat area of Bukha, which is in close proximity to the Emirati border, with “moderate injuries to two expatriates”.  

The attacks followed the 3 May announcement by US President Donald Trump that US forces would “guide [third countries’] Ships safely out” of the Strait of Hormuz, under the new Project Freedom initiative. Iranian officials rejected the US plan, stating that all transits must be coordinated through Tehran.

On 4 May, several Iranian attacks against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were recorded, with at least one vessel being damaged near Umm al Quwain, UAE. US forces reported to have engaged and sunk seven Iranian fast attack craft between 4 and 5 May after Iranian vessels attempted to strike US Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command denied claims by Iran that US vessels were successfully struck, and Iranian officials claimed that the vessels sunk by the US were civilian-operated.

As of 5 May, the airspaces of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman are open. Following the 4 May attacks, flight restrictions have been reactivated in the UAE.

No attacks have been reported in Saudi Arabia between 1 and 5 May.

At least three people have been killed and 29 injured in Saudi Arabia, as of 10:30 UTC on 27 April.

As of 5 May, Saudi Arabia’s airspace is open.

No attacks have been reported in Kuwait between 1 and 5 May.

At least seven people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Kuwait, as of 10:30 UTC on 27 April.

As of 5 May, Kuwait’s airspace is open.

No attacks have been reported in Bahrain between 1 and 5 May.

At least three people have been killed, and dozens have been injured in Bahrain, as of 10:30 UTC on 27 April.

As of 5 May, Bahrain’s airspace is open.

No attacks have been reported in Qatar between 1 and 5 May.

At least 20 people have been injured in Qatar, as of 10:30 UTC on 27 April.

As of 5 May, Qatar’s airspace is open.

On 4 May, UAE authorities reported that their forces had intercepted an Iranian wave of attack drones and missiles targeting the Fujairah oil industry zone (FOIZ). UAE officials claimed that 12 Iranian ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four attack drones were launched by Iran, resulting in injuries to three workers and a “large fire” at the facility. At least four missile alerts were issued by UAE authorities on 4 May, and air raid sirens were recorded across UAE territory, including Dubai, due to the attack. The attack was the first to target the UAE since the implementation of a ceasefire on 8 April.

The Iranian-backed hacker group Handala claimed to have carried out a cyber attack targeting FOIZ just before the kinetic strike.

At least 13 people have been killed and 227 injured in the UAE, as of 20:00 UTC on 4 May.

As of 5 May, the UAE’s airspace is open. On 4 May, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority announced a lifting of the previous “temporary precautionary measures” that were in place and a return to full air operations. However, the wave of Iranian strikes later on 4 May did lead to flight suspensions and the diversion of several inbound flights. Authorities announced on 5 May that previous restrictions and emergency security protocols would be reactivated until 11 May following the attacks. As of 5 May, most flights continue to operate at the UAE’s international airports, although the rate of delays is higher than is typical.

Omani media reported that, on 4 May, a residential building housing company employees in the Tibat area of Burkha province “was targeted in an attack”, resulting in two workers being injured and some localised damage. As of 5 May, only limited information has been published on the nature of the attack or its connection with the conflict. However, the reported locations’ close proximity to the border with the UAE and Bukha’s location between Iran and Fujairah, UAE, may indicate that the projectile was not deliberately targeting Omani territory.

At least three people have been killed and 16 injured in Oman, as of 10:30 UTC on 27 April. If the Tibat strike is confirmed, it would raise the casualty toll to 18 injured.

As of 5 May, Oman’s airspace is open.