Iran launched attacks on several Gulf countries, with Saudi Arabia reporting the interception of ballistic missiles and a fire breaking out in Qatar.
Retaliation for Israeli Strike
Residents received phone notifications warning of an aerial threat. Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki, a spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, stated that four ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed. Debris fell across the capital, with no initial reports of casualties or damage.
Authorities also reported intercepting a drone in the Al-Kharj governorate.
Explosions in Saudi Arabia and Fire in Qatar
The Saudi Ministry of Defense previously announced the interception and destruction of two ballistic missiles aimed at the eastern region. A fire erupted in the Ras Laffan area of Qatar following the Iranian attack, impacting the world’s largest LNG production facility.
Kuwait Deals with Falling Debris
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry reported that explosive ordnance disposal teams handled 17 reports of falling debris in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of reports to 421. Spokesperson General Nasser Bouslaib added that air raid sirens have been activated 94 times.
Iran Threatens Regional Energy Infrastructure
Iran threatened attacks on energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf region in retaliation for Israeli attacks on its South Pars gas field, marking the first deliberate attacks on fossil fuel production since the start of the war.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Threatens Further Attacks
State media reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard threatened counterattacks on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar “in the coming hours,” targeting their gas facilities.
Iran Confirms Israeli Attack on Intelligence Minister
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Wednesday, March 18th, that Israel carried out an attack on Iranian intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib, who was killed in a nighttime raid. Khatib was the third high-ranking Iranian official killed in 24 hours.
Previous Attacks Focused on Eastern Saudi Arabia
Most previous Iranian strikes targeted eastern Saudi Arabia, near Iran and the location of major Saudi oil installations. While air defenses intercepted most incoming missiles, the attacks killed at least two migrant workers and an American soldier at Al Kharj air base.
Regular Attacks on Gulf States
The Gulf region is regularly targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks, including some aimed at its large energy installations and diplomatic district in the capital.
US Spending Comparison
Anne Applebaum writes that, at the current rate of weapons, ammunition, military equipment consumption, and logistical operations, Trump would spend as much in three months in the Middle East as the US spent over three years supporting Ukraine.
