Iran has launched a sustained wave of missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, targeting multiple countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar late Friday and into early Saturday morning The strikes are part of Tehran's ongoing retaliation in the war with the United States and Israel, representing a significant expansion of the conflict that now directly involves neighbouring Arab states
Air defence systems in the targeted countries were activated in response to the attacks, with interceptions reported across the region The direct targeting of countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which host major US military presences and are crucial to global energy markets, escalates the risk of a wider confrontation
Tehran’s actions followed repeated protests from its neighbours and have heightened concerns about regional stability and the security of vital international shipping lanes in the Gulf The development places additional pressure on Gulf states as they navigate the fallout from the primary conflict, forcing them to take a more active defensive posture against Iranian actions The attacks signal Iran's intent to broaden the theatre of conflict beyond its immediate adversaries, drawing in countries that had previously remained on the sidelines.
Yasir Rai
