DUBAI: Gulf air defences were activated again this week after Iran launched missiles and drones, it said, targeting United States military installations across the region.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan reported incoming threats.
The latest attacks followed renewed US strikes on Iran’s southern coast, including areas around Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Jask and Qeshm island. Iran said it targeted US military positions, not Gulf states themselves.
However, missiles and drones entered Gulf airspace and struck or threatened sovereign territory. Qatar said three people, including a child, were injured by falling shrapnel during the interception of an Iranian missile.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed attacks on targets in Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. Those claims have not been independently verified.
Simon Mabon, professor of international relations at Lancaster University, told Al Jazeera that Gulf states face a security bind. He said US bases make Gulf states targets, but the US presence also helps limit the impact of attacks.
The United States operates military facilities across the Middle East and North Africa, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
An estimated 50,000 US troops are stationed across the region. Gulf states have built layered air defence networks using US, European and other systems.
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Saudi Arabia and the UAE operate US-made THAAD and Patriot PAC-3 systems. Qatar uses Patriot batteries and NASAMS III, while Kuwait fields Patriot PAC-3, Aspide, Skyguard and short-range systems.
Bahrain has acquired the Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement system. Oman has NASAMS, French Mistral missiles, Russian Strela-2 systems and anti-aircraft gun platforms.
Bader Mousa Al-Saif, an associate fellow at Chatham House and professor at Kuwait University, told Al Jazeera that Gulf states had recorded high interception rates.
However, analysts said the larger challenge is endurance. Iranian drones can cost about USD 30,000, while advanced interceptor missiles can cost millions of dollars each.
Mabon said the use of expensive interceptors against cheaper drones had made capacity an increasing concern.
