Gulf countries targeted in fresh attacks: Latest developments in the Middle East war

Rocket trails are seen in the sky amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya on March 23. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reported coming under fresh attacks on Monday morning, with explosions and sirens sounding over the oil-rich Gulf. The Saudi Ministry of Defense said it had detected two incoming ballistic missiles targeting the capital on Monday, “one of which was intercepted and the other fell in an uninhabited area”.

The UAE defence ministry said it was “currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran”, explaining “the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones”. Hours earlier, Abu Dhabi authorities reported an Indian national had been wounded by falling debris from an intercepted ballistic missile. And sirens were sounding in Bahrain, with residents instructed to seek shelter.

Gulf nations that have long billed themselves as oases of safety and stability in the region have been drawn into the Middle East war as Iran retaliates against US-Israeli strikes. The Islamic Republic has taken aim at US assets as well as civilian infrastructure, including landmarks, airports, ports and oil facilities around the Gulf. Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war on Monday: International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said “the global economy is facing a major, major threat” and compared the current energy crisis to those of the 1970s and the impact of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “This crisis as things stand is now two oil crises and one gas crash put all together,” Birol said, adding that no country will be immune to its effects.