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Iran launched missiles at several Gulf Arab states on Saturday in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes on its territory, expanding the conflict into parts of the Arab world that have long viewed themselves as relatively insulated from direct confrontation.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, according to state media reports, though further details about the casualty were not immediately released.

The missile launches came hours after Tehran vowed to respond forcefully to joint U.S. and Israeli military action targeting Iranian sites. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had struck what it described as “occupied territories and U.S. bases in the region,” adding that operations would continue.

Missiles Intercepted Across the Gulf

Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan — all of which host U.S. military facilities — said their air defense systems intercepted incoming Iranian missiles.

Bahrain confirmed that a strike had occurred within its territory and said a service center associated with the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet had been hit. Footage verified by witnesses showed grey smoke rising near the coast as warning sirens sounded across the island nation.

In Abu Dhabi, multiple loud explosions were heard throughout the city, according to residents and journalists on the ground. Witnesses described windows shaking in residential neighborhoods near the Corniche following a series of rapid blasts. Fighter jets were seen patrolling the skies over Yas Island and other parts of the capital.

Residents across the UAE received emergency alerts on their mobile phones instructing them to seek shelter in secure buildings and stay away from windows due to missile threats.

Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan on Alert

In Qatar, military officials said Iranian missiles were intercepted before reaching Qatari territory following joint defensive coordination. Several waves of explosions were heard in Doha as air defenses engaged.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Embassy in Doha urged American citizens to take shelter. While many residents initially continued daily activities — with supermarkets open and beachgoers heading to the waterfront — streets began to empty after government-issued shelter-in-place alerts were pushed to mobile phones.

Kuwait’s army said it dealt with missiles detected in Kuwaiti airspace, while Jordanian authorities confirmed that two Iranian ballistic missiles were downed.

Regional and Global Impact

The escalation quickly disrupted civilian air travel. Global airlines suspended or rerouted flights across much of the Middle East, with flight tracking data showing airspace over Iran and parts of the Gulf largely cleared of commercial traffic.

The widening scope of the confrontation has heightened fears of a broader regional war. Gulf states have traditionally balanced close security ties with Washington while maintaining cautious diplomatic engagement with Tehran. Saturday’s attacks mark one of the most direct spillovers of hostilities into Gulf territory in recent years.

Diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis appear strained as military exchanges intensify. Governments across Europe and Asia have urged restraint, while energy markets and financial traders are closely monitoring the situation for potential disruptions to oil shipments and regional trade flows.

With missile interceptions reported across multiple countries and at least one confirmed fatality in the UAE, the conflict has entered a more dangerous and unpredictable phase, raising concerns about further retaliatory strikes in the coming days.