Blasts shake Qatar, UAE, Kuwait as Iran’s retaliatory strikes continue | News
Tehran’s Retaliatory Strikes Against U.S. Continue Amid Rising Tensions
March 2, 2026
Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on U.S. assets in the Gulf region have persisted for a third consecutive day, amplifying fears of a sustained conflict.
Explosions were reported in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and in Doha, Qatar, early Monday morning, as Iranian strikes targeted neighboring Gulf states in response to ongoing military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran. Witnesses in Kuwait also reported loud bangs and sirens, with smoke observed near the U.S. embassy, according to Reuters.
The state-run Kuwait News Agency reported that Kuwait’s air defense forces successfully intercepted most of the drones launched from Iran, particularly near the neighborhoods of Rumaithiya and Salwa.
In retaliation, Iran has declared its intention to target U.S. military assets in the region, as attacks on Iranian territory by U.S. and Israeli forces have continued. Iranian strikes have reportedly impacted several civilian and commercial areas in Gulf cities, disrupting key aviation and trade routes.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior activated air raid alerts and advised residents to seek shelter. It also announced the closure of the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge, which connects the capital, Manama, to surrounding areas, urging citizens to use main roads only when necessary.
Casualty reports indicate that at least one person has died in Kuwait, three in the UAE, and 16 have been injured in Qatar. In Iran, at least 201 people have been killed and 747 wounded from U.S.-Israeli attacks, with additional reports indicating nine fatalities and 121 injuries in Israel.
The U.S. alongside Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE issued a joint statement condemning Iranian actions in the region and reaffirming their right to self-defense. The statement emphasized that Gulf nations will take necessary measures to safeguard their security and protect their citizens.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Tehran does not seek conflict with its Gulf neighbors. He told Al Jazeera that Iran aims to maintain friendly relations with Gulf states and characterized the ongoing military actions as self-defense against American aggression.
“We are not targeting our brothers in the Persian Gulf; we are not attacking our neighbors, but we are attacking American targets,” Araghchi stated.
