Attacks reported across Gulf states; Iran president apologises to neighbours

2026-03-07 - 16:18

Muscat – Gulf countries reported drone and missile attacks on Saturday, with defence authorities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates confirming interceptions or attempted strikes. The developments came on the day when Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring Gulf countries, saying Tehran did not intend to target them unless attacks on Iran originated from their territories. “I personally apologise to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he said in a televised address on Saturday morning. “We do not intend to attack neighbouring countries. As I have repeatedly said, they are our brothers.” He added that Iran would refrain from striking neighbouring states unless attacks against Iran were launched from those countries. Iran’s military said it had launched missiles and drones against US military facilities in Bahrain and Qatar. In the UAE, Dubai International Airport came under drone attack several times, according to reports. Passengers said they heard explosions and saw aerial interceptions. Airport authorities suspended departures for several hours, but limited operations resumed later on Saturday afternoon. Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems successfully repelled a ballistic missile attack. No casualties or damage were reported. In Bahrain, warning sirens were heard across parts of the kingdom, though there were no reports of impacts. The Bahraini military said that since the start of Iranian attacks on the kingdom, 86 missiles and 148 drones had been intercepted and destroyed. Saudi Arabia also reported a drone threat early on Saturday. The kingdom’s Ministry of Defence said 16 drones heading towards the Shaybah oil field were intercepted. The ministry did not specify the origin of the drones.