Tensions across the Gulf remain high as the ongoing Iran war completes one month, with continued missile and drone attacks, air-defence interceptions and mounting global concern over regional security and energy supplies. The conflict began on 28 February 2026 after coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military infrastructure triggered a wave of retaliatory attacks by Iran across the Middle East, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Since then, hundreds of missiles and drones have been fired across the region, with UAE authorities intercepting many of them over cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, falling debris from interceptions has caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
At least 11 people have died and more than 170 have been injured in the UAE alone. Meanwhile, governments across the Gulf have condemned the attacks and sought stronger security guarantees from allies, while global powers such as the G7 have urged restraint and called for an immediate end to attacks on civilians as fears grow about disruptions to global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Missile Attacks And Civilian Impact
Over the past month, Gulf countries have faced repeated aerial attacks amid the widening regional conflict. According to available official updates, the UAE has intercepted and destroyed 378 ballistic missiles, 1,835 drones and 15 cruise missiles launched from Iran since the start of the war.
Despite the effectiveness of these defence systems, fragments from intercepted weapons have still caused destruction in urban areas. Buildings near major landmarks such as Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and the Burj Al Arab have reportedly been damaged by falling debris, while residential districts in Abu Dhabi have also experienced property damage and fires.
The human cost of the attacks has also become increasingly visible. As of late March, 11 people have been killed in the UAE, including three military personnel and civilians from several nationalities, such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Palestine.
Over 171 others have been injured, highlighting the wide-ranging impact of the conflict on expatriate communities that make up a large portion of the Gulf’s population. One Palestinian woman was killed when a missile struck a civilian vehicle in Abu Dhabi, while other deaths have occurred due to falling debris after interceptions.
Authorities in the UAE have strongly condemned the strikes, describing them as violations of sovereignty and threats to civilian safety. Defence officials have stated that the country remains on high alert and continues to strengthen its defensive deployments. Meanwhile, Iran has argued that its attacks are aimed at military installations linked to the United States and its allies, claiming the strikes are part of its retaliation following earlier assaults on Iranian territory.
Energy Security And Shipping Threats
Beyond the direct attacks, the war has triggered a broader geopolitical and economic crisis affecting aviation, shipping and global energy markets. Iran’s strikes have targeted or threatened key oil and gas facilities across the Gulf, including infrastructure near the UAE’s Fujairah energy hub. Some attacks have reportedly caused fires and disruptions at oil storage areas, raising concerns about the security of critical energy supply chains.
One of the most pressing concerns is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes and responsible for transporting roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies. As tensions escalated, several commercial vessels halted attempts to pass through the strait due to security fears, even after Iran claimed that certain ships could move safely. The situation has left energy exports stranded and increased volatility in global oil prices.
In response, Gulf states have been pushing for stronger international security measures to safeguard maritime trade. The UAE has reportedly expressed willingness to join a multinational maritime force aimed at protecting the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels.
Discussions are underway among multiple countries about creating a “Hormuz Security Force,” though diplomatic disagreements particularly at the United Nations Security Council could complicate efforts to establish such a mission.
The wider conflict has also intensified military exchanges across the region. In March, US airstrikes targeted Iran’s strategic Kharg Island, a major oil export hub handling most of the country’s crude shipments, while Israeli attacks reportedly struck Iranian energy facilities such as the South Pars gas field. These strikes prompted further retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, creating a cycle of escalation that has heightened fears of a prolonged regional confrontation.
At the diplomatic level, international leaders have repeatedly called for restraint and dialogue. Reports indicate that some countries including Pakistan, Oman and Egypt have attempted to mediate discussions between Washington and Tehran. However, Iranian officials have publicly denied that meaningful negotiations are currently underway, leaving the prospect of an immediate ceasefire uncertain.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
As this conflict enters its second month, the escalating cycle of retaliation serves as a reminder of how quickly geopolitical rivalries can spiral into humanitarian crises. While governments debate strategy and military responses, it is ordinary civilians many of them migrant workers and families living far from their home countries who bear the most immediate risks of missile attacks, disrupted livelihoods and rising uncertainty.
The situation also highlights how interconnected today’s world has become. A conflict unfolding in the Gulf not only affects those living in the region but also influences global oil prices, trade routes, airline travel and economic stability across continents.
