The attack on South Pars, a major component of the world’s largest natural gas deposit shared by Iran and Qatar, drove oil prices higher and intensified concerns over global energy supply disruptions.

Trump said Israel had acted “out of anger” and that Washington had no advance knowledge of the operation.

QatarEnergy reported “extensive damage” and sizeable fires at facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City following missile strikes, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and thwarted a drone attack on a gas installation in its eastern region.

The strikes mark a significant expansion of hostilities into critical energy infrastructure in the Gulf, a region central to global oil and gas markets. Ras Laffan processes roughly a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas, making it one of the most strategically important energy hubs globally.

Iran carried out additional missile attacks on Thursday targeting Qatari gas facilities and the Saudi capital, according to officials, heightening fears of prolonged disruption to energy flows.

The South Pars field itself is a cornerstone of Iran’s gas production and is geologically linked to Qatar’s North Field, underscoring the cross-border risks posed by military escalation.In a post on X, Trump said Israel’s strike had been a response to developments in the region but warned Tehran against further escalation.

He described Iran’s subsequent targeting of Qatar’s LNG facilities as “unjustified,” adding that Doha had not been involved in the initial attack.

Trump said the United States would prevent further Israeli strikes on South Pars unless Iran “unwisely” targets Qatar again. He also warned that any such move by Tehran would trigger a large-scale U.S. response against the gas field.

Earlier reporting by the Wall Street Journal said Trump had approved Israel’s plan to strike Iran’s gas infrastructure, though the president said Washington had no prior knowledge of the specific operation.

Regional fallout widensIran’s actions reflect a broader pattern since the conflict began nearly four weeks ago, with Tehran targeting not only Israel but also U.S. diplomatic and military facilities across the Gulf. Iranian officials have also warned neighbouring states against facilitating attacks on its territory.

Saudi authorities said their air defences successfully neutralised incoming threats, while Qatar has yet to detail the full operational impact of the damage to its LNG facilities.

The widening scope of attacks on energy infrastructure has raised geopolitical and economic stakes, with markets reacting to the potential for sustained disruption across key supply routes and production hubs.

The Dubai Media Office said emergency services were dealing with the blaze after what it described as a “drone-related incident” near the airport. In a post on X, the office said authorities were taking necessary steps to secure the area and ensure public safety.

Videos circulating on social media showed a large column of smoke rising from the area near the airport, though officials did not immediately report casualties or provide details on the extent of the damage.

The attack occurred hours after Iran issued warnings calling for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates, signaling an expansion of threats to infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states.

Iranian officials accused the United States of using facilities in the UAE, including ports and docking areas, to launch strikes against Kharg Island, which hosts Iran’s primary oil export terminal.

Tehran did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

The drone strike comes amid an intensifying regional confrontation following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28.Officials say Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since the conflict began, targeting U.S. diplomatic facilities, military bases and key civilian infrastructure including oil installations, ports, airports and commercial areas.

The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, has experienced a significant share of the attacks, though governments across the Gulf have reported incidents and have condemned Iran over the strikes.

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said the attacks began shortly after midnight, with 48 drones launched in roughly two hours.

In a series of posts on X starting at 2:22 a.m. local time, he said Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed all the drones before they reached their intended targets.The strikes form part of a broader pattern of nightly drone operations attributed to Iran, which Saudi officials say have intensified in recent weeks.

The drone barrage came hours after Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, shared a notice attributed to Iran’s military command asserting that the aircraft being used in attacks were not Iranian systems.

According to the statement cited by Enayati, “the enemy” was deploying drones disguised as Iranian-made Shahed drone under the name “Lucas drone,” an allegation that appeared aimed at deflecting responsibility for the strikes.

Saudi authorities did not comment on the claim.

Saudi defense officials said the latest attacks raised the number of drones intercepted in the kingdom to more than 230 since the campaign began.

Defense Ministry statements also show that more than 30 missiles have been shot down during the same period.Other Gulf states have reported similar increases in aerial threats.

Authorities in Bahrain said their air defenses had intercepted 125 missiles and 203 drones, with two people killed there and 24 others across the region.

The United Arab Emirates said its military had engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and approximately 1,600 drones during the conflict, reporting six fatalities.

Officials across the Gulf say the attacks have followed a recurring pattern of overnight drone launches followed by relative calm during daylight hours.

Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian specialists have already been deployed to several countries in the region to help assess defenses against kamikaze drones used by Iran.

Each Ukrainian team consists of dozens of experts tasked with analyzing local air-defense capabilities and demonstrating effective counter-drone strategies.

According to the Ukrainian leader, teams have been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, while specialists have also visited a U.S. military base in Jordan. The deployments come as Gulf states face growing threats from Iranian “Shahed” kamikaze drones and have expended significant numbers of air-defense missiles trying to intercept them.

Ukraine has gained extensive experience countering such drones during its war with Russia. Ukrainian forces regularly intercept drones using a mix of air-defense systems, electronic jamming equipment, and smaller interceptor drones that provide a cheaper alternative to expensive missile systems.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s assistance does not mean involvement in military operations against Iran. Instead, he described the mission as a defensive effort focused on sharing knowledge and conducting detailed evaluations of regional air-defense strategies.

“This is not about participating in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskyy said, stressing that Ukraine’s role is limited to technical advice and strategic assessments on how to counter the Iranian-made Shahed drones.

He added that nearly a dozen countries worldwide have approached Ukraine seeking guidance on defending against drone attacks, reflecting Kyiv’s growing reputation in drone warfare and electronic defense.However, Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine expects tangible benefits from its assistance.

“Honestly, for us today, both the technology and the funding are important,” he said, noting that discussions about what Ukraine will receive in return are still ongoing.

The Ukrainian president also said it remains uncertain whether Kyiv and the United States will finalize a long-discussed agreement on drone cooperation, negotiations for which have been underway for months.

As drone warfare becomes an increasingly central feature of modern conflicts, Ukraine’s battlefield experience is now positioning the country as an emerging global source of expertise in counter-drone defense.

Trump said U.S. strikes had already “totally demolished” much of the island’s infrastructure and signaled the possibility of additional attacks, telling NBC News on Saturday that Washington could “hit it a few more times just for fun.”

The remarks marked a sharp escalation from earlier statements by the administration that had framed operations as limited to military facilities on the island.

Kharg Island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal and a critical node in global energy markets. Any prolonged disruption to its facilities risks tightening global crude supply at a time when energy prices are already climbing sharply due to the conflict.

The fighting has heightened concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime corridor through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Tehran has long maintained the capability to disrupt shipping in the waterway, a scenario that analysts say could amplify volatility in global energy markets.

Trump called on countries that rely on oil shipments through the strait to take a more active role in securing it. In a social media post on Saturday, he said nations receiving oil through the passage “must take care of that passage,” adding that the United States would coordinate with them to ensure maritime transit remained secure.

The push for allied naval deployments comes as oil markets face what industry observers have described as the largest disruption to global supply flows in modern history, according to recent market assessments cited by Reuters.

The war launched on Feb. 28 by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expanded beyond direct strikes on Iranian targets. Missile and drone attacks continued across the region on Sunday, underscoring the conflict’s widening geographic scope.

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over Riyadh and eastern regions of the kingdom, according to the Saudi defense ministry. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied involvement in the attacks, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

A separate drone strike disrupted a major energy hub in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, while Washington advised American citizens to leave Iraq amid rising security risks.

Despite signs that Tehran may be open to negotiations, prospects for a diplomatic resolution remain uncertain. Trump said Iran appeared willing to consider a deal to end the conflict but added that “the terms aren’t good enough yet.

”At the same time, three sources told Reuters that the U.S. administration had rejected attempts by Middle Eastern allies to initiate talks, a move that has complicated diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting.

More than 2,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, most of them in Iran, according to figures reported by governments and state media. In one of the latest incidents, an airstrike struck a refrigerator and heater factory in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, killing at least 15 people, the Fars news agency reported.

The Iran-backed movement, which controls large parts of Yemen and possesses significant missile and drone capabilities, has previously demonstrated its ability to strike targets across the Gulf and disrupt maritime navigation around the Arabian Peninsula. Despite those capabilities, the group has not issued any formal declaration indicating it has joined the current conflict.

The Houthis, a Shi’ite political and armed movement, expanded their influence after unrest linked to the Arab Spring protests in 2011 destabilised Yemen’s political system.

Capitalising on the turmoil, the group captured the Yemeni capital Sanaa in 2014, triggering a wider conflict that drew in regional powers. In 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of Arab states in a military intervention aimed at pushing the Houthis from power.

During years of fighting, the Houthis developed significant missile and drone capabilities and carried out attacks on oil facilities and infrastructure in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The conflict created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises before the United Nations brokered a truce between the warring sides in 2022. The ceasefire has largely held since then.

The Houthis demonstrated their regional reach after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

In response, the Houthis launched attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, saying their actions were intended to support Palestinians. They also fired drones and missiles toward Israel, prompting retaliatory air strikes on Houthi targets.

Houthi attacks on shipping subsided after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October 2025.

Despite remaining outside the current conflict, the group’s leadership has signalled it is prepared to act if circumstances change.

On March 5, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said in a televised address that the group was ready to escalate militarily if developments warranted.“Regarding military escalation and action, our fingers are on the trigger at any moment should developments warrant it,” he said.

Unlike Iran-aligned groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and armed factions in Iraq, the Houthis do not follow the religious authority of Iran’s supreme leader in the same doctrinal structure.

While Iran promotes the Houthis as part of its regional “Axis of Resistance,” Yemen specialists say the movement remains primarily driven by domestic political priorities, even as it maintains political and strategic ties with Tehran and Hezbollah.

The 60-year-old visitor from London was detained on Monday night and charged alongside approximately 20 other individuals accused of sharing videos, images, or online commentary related to recent Iranian missile attacks targeting the emirate.

Authorities say the suspects circulated content that could “disturb public security,” an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of two years under the UAE’s cybercrime laws.According to reports, the British tourist filmed missiles striking the city during the latest wave of Iranian attacks. When confronted by authorities, he reportedly deleted the footage immediately and insisted that he had no intention of violating local laws.

Despite this, prosecutors charged him with “broadcasting, publishing, republishing, or circulating rumours or provocative propaganda,” a serious offense in the UAE’s tightly regulated digital environment.The case has quickly drawn attention both in Britain and internationally, underscoring the risks faced by residents and visitors who share content related to security incidents in the Gulf state.

The UAE government has made it clear that the dissemination of unverified or sensitive information online will not be tolerated, particularly during periods of heightened tension.Officials in the Emirates have warned that anyone spreading information which could “incite panic among people” or undermine public order may face prosecution. The government argues that strict regulation of online content is necessary to maintain stability and prevent the spread of misinformation during a volatile security situation.

The arrests come at a time when Dubai, long celebrated as one of the safest and most stable cities in the Middle East, has been thrust into an unprecedented security crisis. Over the past two weeks, the emirate has become one of several Gulf targets struck by Iranian missiles and drones amid escalating regional hostilities.

Several missiles have struck buildings in Dubai, including areas near the city’s international airport and the iconic Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah, a luxury landmark known worldwide for its opulence and tourism appeal. The attacks have shaken confidence in a city that has spent decades cultivating a reputation as a secure global hub for finance, trade, and tourism.

For years, Dubai has marketed itself as a tax-free sanctuary for business leaders, expatriates, and vacationers seeking stability and luxury in the Gulf region. The recent strikes, however, have punctured that carefully curated image, exposing the city to the same geopolitical risks that have long plagued other parts of the Middle East.

Across the Gulf states, Iranian strikes in the current escalation have reportedly killed at least twelve civilians. In the United Arab Emirates, every civilian casualty recorded so far has been a migrant worker, many of whom form the backbone of the country’s construction, service, and logistics sectors.The attacks have not only caused physical destruction but have also sparked an intense effort by the UAE authorities to control the narrative surrounding the crisis.

Government officials appear determined to prevent images or videos of missile impacts from spreading widely online, fearing that such footage could damage the country’s reputation as a secure destination for global investors and tourists.In response, the government has launched a sweeping crackdown on social media activity.

Authorities are monitoring platforms for posts that depict the attacks or discuss the security situation in ways officials believe could cause public alarm.Under the UAE’s cybercrime legislation, publishing or sharing information deemed harmful to national security or public order can lead to significant fines and prison sentences.

Even forwarding content created by others can potentially expose users to prosecution if the material is considered misleading or destabilizing.The British tourist’s case illustrates how easily visitors unfamiliar with local regulations can find themselves entangled in legal trouble.

In many Western countries, recording and sharing footage of major events including disasters or military incidents is generally protected as a form of citizen journalism. In the UAE, however, such actions can be treated as criminal offenses if authorities believe they threaten public stability.

Diplomatic officials in the United Kingdom are likely monitoring the situation closely, particularly given the large number of British nationals living and working in Dubai.

The emirate hosts an estimated 240,000 British expatriates, making it one of the largest overseas British communities in the world.Many Britons are drawn to Dubai by its lucrative job opportunities, tax-free income policies, and high standard of living. The city’s cosmopolitan culture, luxury shopping districts, and world-class entertainment have also made it a popular holiday destination for British tourists.

However, the ongoing conflict and the government’s strict enforcement of cybercrime laws have raised concerns among expatriates and visitors about what they can safely post onlineAt the same time, a contrasting trend has emerged on social media within the UAE.

Influencers and content creators based in Dubai have increasingly shared posts praising the government and emphasizing the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president of the UAE

Many of these posts highlight Dubai’s resilience and portray the city as continuing to function normally despite the attacks. Videos showing luxury hotels, bustling shopping malls, and calm beaches have been widely circulated, often accompanied by messages affirming confidence in the government’s ability to maintain security.

Critics, however, argue that the government’s aggressive control over online narratives risks suppressing legitimate reporting and public discussion during a time of crisis. Human rights advocates have long criticized the UAE’s cybercrime laws for their broad language, which allows authorities considerable discretion in determining what constitutes harmful or destabilizing content.

Supporters of the policy counter that strict information control is necessary to prevent panic and to protect national security during periods of military threat.For the British tourist now facing prosecution, the consequences could be severe.

If convicted, he could receive a prison sentence of up to two years, a penalty that would serve as a stark warning to residents and visitors alike about the boundaries of digital expression in the Emirates.The unfolding case reflects the complex intersection of geopolitics, digital media, and national security in an era when nearly every major event is instantly recorded and shared online.

As missiles continue to fall across parts of the Gulf and governments struggle to manage both physical threats and information flows, the incident in Dubai demonstrates how even a short video clip can become entangled in the broader battle over narratives, security, and global perception.

Writing in the Saudi-based outlet Arab News, Egyptian journalist and analyst Abdellatif El-Menawy said the conflict has exposed the limits of American power, the reach of Israeli military deterrence and Iran’s enduring role in the regional balance, while simultaneously revealing vulnerabilities in the Gulf’s security architecture.

The war, he argued, may prolong the Middle East’s crises rather than produce the stable “new Middle East” often invoked in policy debates.

The United States’ strategic thinking surrounding the conflict reflects an assumption seen during the Iraq war era that weakening a hostile regional power could pave the way for a more favorable political order.

.Under this logic, military pressure on Iran’s leadership and infrastructure was expected either to weaken Tehran to the point of strategic retreat or trigger domestic unrest that could alter the country’s political trajectory.

But Iran’s position in the region extends beyond the structure of its government, he argued. The country has established institutions, a complex social structure and networks of influence across several parts of the Arab world.

Because of those factors, analysts say the collapse or severe weakening of Iran could introduce additional instability rather than immediately stabilize the region.

The war has already expanded beyond limited strikes, with Iranian attacks targeting Israel, U.S. military installations and other strategic locations across the Gulf region, according to the analysis.

The conflict’s effects have also spread into global economic systems, particularly energy markets and maritime shipping routes.

Oil infrastructure across the Gulf has faced rising risks, with key pipelines, refineries and export terminals in countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq and Bahrain placed under heightened security pressure as hostilities intensify.

At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints through which roughly one-fifth of global oil trade passes has come under renewed scrutiny amid the conflict.

Any disruption to shipping through the strait could quickly reverberate through oil prices, insurance markets and international trade flows, analysts note, underscoring the region’s continued strategic significance to the global economy.

The broader implication, is that the Middle East’s geopolitical stability cannot be separated from the vulnerabilities of the global energy system.

The conflict has also raised questions in the Gulf about the long-standing security model built around U.S. military protection.

For decades, American bases in the region were viewed primarily as deterrents against external threats. However, the current conflict has highlighted how those same installations can also become targets during periods of confrontation.

This concern has roots in earlier regional shocks, including the 2019 attack on Saudi oil facilities that temporarily disrupted global oil supply and raised doubts about the effectiveness of external security guarantees.Such developments have already encouraged Gulf states to diversify their diplomatic and strategic relationships.

A notable example came in March 2023, when Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China. The agreement was widely viewed as part of a broader effort by Gulf states to reduce regional tensions while balancing relations among major global powers.

Despite such diplomatic efforts, the current war has underscored the limits of de-escalation initiatives in a region shaped heavily by geography and military positioning.

As long as U.S. bases remain in the Gulf and Iran perceives those deployments as a strategic threat, regional states will remain exposed to confrontation regardless of their diplomatic preferences, analysts say.

Even if Iran emerges weakened from the conflict, the country is unlikely to disappear from the Middle East’s strategic landscape.

Instead, Tehran may rely more heavily on asymmetric strategies that aim to raise the costs of confrontation for its adversaries.

These strategies could include leveraging maritime chokepoints, economic pressure points and regional alliances to challenge what Tehran views as an American-led security structure.

Iran has historically used such methods as part of a broader deterrence approach that extends beyond conventional military confrontation.The evolving dynamics also raise questions about Israel’s role in the region.

Israel is widely viewed as having demonstrated strong intelligence and airpower capabilities through strikes deep inside Iranian territory. Yet military superiority does not necessarily translate into a stable regional order under Israeli leadership.

Accordingly a weakened Iran could in some ways heighten concerns among Arab states about the emergence of a more assertive Israel.The resulting regional balance may therefore resemble a complex triangular dynamic involving a militarily capable Israel, an injured but resilient Iran and Gulf states with substantial economic resources but growing security uncertainty.

Beyond the Middle East, the conflict also carries wider geopolitical implications.A prolonged confrontation with Iran could absorb American military and diplomatic attention, potentially creating opportunities for rival powers such as Russia and China to expand influence in other regions.

Some analysts have also warned that a shift in U.S. focus toward the Middle East could affect Washington’s ability to manage simultaneous international crises.For now, however, the conflict’s long-term consequences remain uncertain.

While the war has challenged assumptions about the durability of the existing regional order, analysts say it has not yet produced a clear alternative.Instead, the emerging picture is of a Middle East entering a period of greater fluidity, where established security arrangements face new tests and geopolitical alignments continue to evolve.

The statement did not specify where the incident occurred or what operations the officers were involved in at the time. Officials also did not disclose their identities or whether other personnel were injured.The announcement comes as Kuwait and other Gulf states remain on heightened alert following a series of drone and missile launches from Iran after recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic. Several countries in the region have reported intercepting aerial threats amid escalating security concerns.

The Kuwait Fire Force said only that the two officers were killed “while performing duties,” offering no further explanation. Authorities have not indicated whether the deaths were connected to fire response operations, civil defense activities, or emergency support related to the ongoing regional security situation.The fire service in Kuwait functions as the primary authority responsible for firefighting, rescue operations, and emergency response across the country.

Gulf countries, including Kuwait, have taken precautionary measures in response to the deteriorating security environment following the recent attacks on Iran. Governments across the region have stepped up air defense monitoring and emergency preparedness in case of spillover from the broader confrontation.While Kuwait has not publicly reported damage from incoming projectiles, officials have acknowledged the interception of drones and missiles launched from Iran in recent days.The deaths of the two officers were announced as authorities continued monitoring developments across the Gulf, where heightened tensions have prompted increased vigilance among civil defense and emergency services.

In a prerecorded address broadcast on Iranian state television, Pezeshkian said the strikes that targeted regional countries were the result of a miscommunication within military ranks. His remarks followed reports of repeated attacks earlier on Saturday against Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates amid the expanding regional conflict.

Apology to neighboring states,Pezeshkian said Iran did not intend to escalate tensions with its neighbors and expressed regret over the attacks. He said Tehran would halt such strikes unless an attack against Iran originated from those countries.The statement appeared aimed at easing tensions with Gulf states that host military installations linked to the United States and have reported missile and drone incidents during the escalating hostilities.Comments on US demandsIn the same address, Pezeshkian rejected calls from the United States for Iran to surrender unconditionally, dismissing the demand as unrealistic.His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that Washington would accept nothing less than Iran’s “unconditional surrender” as the conflict intensifies.Regional tensions persist .

The apology followed a series of attacks reported across the Gulf earlier on Saturday as the confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States widened across the region.Iranian state media aired Pezeshkian’s remarks as governments across the Middle East continued to monitor security conditions following missile and drone incidents affecting several Gulf states.