Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Gulf states amid its war with the US and Israel, as Qatar, UAE and Bahrain intercepted attacks and shut airspace.

Iran launched missile and drone strikes across multiple nations in the Gulf on Saturday in response to a joint military offensive by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it targeted U.S. military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE as retaliation.

Explosions were reported in Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait City, Riyadh and Manama.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence announced that its air defence systems successfully intercepted a number of missiles on Saturday before they could enter the country’s airspace, amid the ongoing war between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The ministry stated that the situation remains under control and affirmed that Qatar has the full capability and readiness to safeguard its national security and respond decisively to any external threats.

Qatar hosts the largest U.S. military installation in the region — the Al Udeid Air Base. 

Several Gulf countries, including Qatar, shut their airspace and issued alerts as residents heard blasts and sirens amid the Israel, U.S. and Iran war. 

Bahrain stated that several sites and facilities were targeted in what it called a “clear violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty and security.”

Authorities characterised the incidents as “treacherous attacks” that directly endanger Bahrain’s national security and the safety of both citizens and residents.

Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that the country was struck by Iranian ballistic missiles, with air defence systems successfully intercepting a number of them. 

One person has been reported dead in Abu Dhabi as a result of debris falling in a residential area from an Iranian missile on the UAE’s capital, Al Jazeera reported, citing the UAE’s state news agency. 

The UAE affirmed its right to respond to the escalation.