Iran launches strikes in the Gulf region

US and Israel Launch Coordinated Assault on Iran; Gulf States React with Alarm

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated operation against Iran, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury”. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states did not respond with enthusiasm. Instead, they watched with concern.

The GCC states had invested significant diplomatic effort in preventing this moment. They maintained embassies, engaged Tehran, and offered assurances that their territories would not be used as launchpads against the Islamic Republic. Iran’s response has been to target its Arab neighbors, sparking widespread alarm.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman had all pursued diplomatic engagement with Iran, including a landmark 2023 agreement brokered by China. These efforts culminated in the reopening of embassies and public assurances that their territories would not be used for attacks against Iran. Iran’s actions have repaid these commitments with force.

According to official statistics, Iran has fired more than twice as many ballistic missiles and approximately 20 times more drones at Gulf states than at Israel during the early days of the war. The UAE reported three fatalities and 78 injuries; Saudi Arabia’s largest refinery was damaged; major airports across the Gulf were targeted; and Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG supply facility was struck.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route, has sent shockwaves through international markets. Commercial shipping through the passage has been severely impacted, disrupting global energy supplies.

Source: Al Jazeera