Iran announced on Friday that it had launched a ballistic missile strike on what it described as a “secret location” in the United Arab Emirates where American pilots and aviation engineers were reportedly gathered. There was no immediate response from Abu Dhabi.
In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had carried out a precise strike targeting a meeting point for US aviation personnel outside one of the bases in the UAE. The statement did not provide further details on the exact location. It added that field reports and the heavy movement of ambulances indicated a high number of casualties, without specifying figures.
Regional Escalation Across Four Gulf States
The strike formed part of a broader wave of Iranian attacks targeting four Gulf countries on Friday, in what Tehran described as a response to the ongoing Israeli and American war against Iran, now in its 35th day.
According to official statements from the affected countries, the attacks targeted Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain.
Since 28 February, Israel and the United States have been conducting sustained military operations against Iran, resulting in thousands of Iranian casualties. In response, Tehran has launched missiles and drones towards Israel, while also targeting what it describes as American interests in Arab countries. These actions have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, drawing condemnation from the affected states.
Kuwait: Refinery Fires and Intercepted Attacks
In Kuwait, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation reported fires breaking out in operational units at the Mina Al Ahmadi refinery following a drone strike early Friday. No human casualties were recorded. Emergency and firefighting teams were deployed to contain the fires and prevent their spread.
The Kuwaiti military announced that it had intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks in the early hours of Friday. In a later statement, it confirmed a second wave of similar attacks had also been intercepted, without providing additional details.
Separately, the Kuwaiti National Guard dismissed circulating claims on social media regarding a potential radiation leak, confirming that readings in the air and territorial waters remained within normal levels. Authorities stated that monitoring systems were operating continuously in coordination with relevant state agencies to ensure public safety.
Saudi Arabia: Multiple Drone Interceptions
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed in three separate statements that it had intercepted and destroyed a total of 14 drones since early Friday.
The ministry reported the interception of six drones, followed by seven additional drones targeting the Kingdom within hours. Earlier that morning, it had also announced the interception and destruction of a drone without further details.
United Arab Emirates: Air Defence Response and Civilian Injuries
The UAE Ministry of Defence stated that its air defence systems had responded to missile and drone attacks originating from Iran.
In Abu Dhabi, authorities reported a fire at the Habshan gas facilities caused by debris falling after an aerial interception. Operations at the facility were temporarily suspended while emergency teams worked to contain the fire. No injuries were recorded at that site.
However, in the Ajban area near Zayed Military City, 12 individuals were injured due to falling debris from intercepted projectiles. According to official statements, the injured included six Nepalese nationals and five Indian nationals with minor to moderate injuries, while one Nepalese national sustained critical injuries.
Bahrain: Repeated Air Raid Sirens
In Bahrain, the Ministry of Interior announced that air raid sirens had been activated four times since early Friday.
Authorities urged citizens and residents to move to the nearest safe location, without providing further operational details. The activation of sirens typically coincides with the detection of incoming threats.
