Iran War Enters Second Week: Iranian Missile and Drone Barrages Hammer Israel and Gulf States as U.S.-Israeli Strikes Devastate Tehran’s Military and Energy Infrastructure
- Rex Ballard
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The 2026 Iran War, which erupted on February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes codenamed Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Operation Roaring Lion (Israel), has entered its 12th day. Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone campaign continues daily against Israel and multiple Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, even as coalition airstrikes have degraded Tehran’s ballistic missile and drone capabilities by an estimated 90%. Over 3,000 targets have been hit, including command centers, air defenses, and — in recent days — military-linked oil and fuel facilities.
Massive smoke plumes rise over Tehran following U.S.-Israeli strikes on oil refineries and fuel depots in early March 2026.
Iranian Retaliatory Attacks (March 7–10, 2026)
Despite heavy losses to launch infrastructure, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has sustained 8–10 missile waves per day plus large Shahed-style drone swarms. Interception rates remain exceptionally high (~90–94%) across Israeli and Gulf defenses, but some projectiles have caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Israel: Multiple barrages struck March 6–9. A cluster munition wounded at least six in central Israel; a March 8–9 impact in Yehud (near Tel Aviv) killed two. Over 110 Iranian drones have been intercepted since the war began.
United Arab Emirates: Faced 117 drones + 16+ missiles in one recent wave. Most intercepted, but infrastructure damage was reported in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi areas. Cumulative casualties: 4 killed, 112 injured.
Qatar: 17 ballistic missiles and 6 drones intercepted near Al Udeid Air Base.
Saudi Arabia: Residential strike in Kharj killed 2 civilians and wounded 12 — the first confirmed Saudi deaths.
Bahrain: Drones damaged a critical desalination plant and ignited the country’s main oil refinery, triggering a force majeure on shipments.
Kuwait and Jordan reported damage to radar and air-defense systems.
Dramatic nighttime interception trails over UAE cities and thick smoke rising near Abu Dhabi during Iranian attacks.
U.S. and Israeli Counter-Offensive
Coalition forces have maintained intense pressure. In the past 72 hours alone, Israeli jets and U.S. B-2 bombers struck hundreds more targets:
Tehran-area refineries (Tondgouyan, Shahran) and fuel depots were destroyed, causing massive fires and toxic smoke.
Underground facilities at Esfahan Missile Complex and Ahvaz drone base were heavily damaged.
IRGC Air Force HQ, Drone Command, and multiple ammunition bunkers were eliminated.
IRGC Navy vessel Bandar Lengeh sunk in Bandar Abbas.
Satellite imagery reveals extensive damage to Esfahan missile bases and aviation facilities following coalition strikes (Planet Labs / ISW analysis).
Gulf States: Defensive Powerhouse with No Confirmed Offensive Role
GCC nations (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait) have not launched verified direct strikes into Iran. Their role has been overwhelmingly defensive and supportive:
Highly effective interceptions prevented widespread destruction.
Continued hosting of U.S. bases and intelligence sharing.
Strong diplomatic condemnation of Iranian attacks as “reprehensible.”
Rumors of limited UAE or Qatari offensive actions (e.g., on Qeshm Island) have been denied by those governments and lack independent confirmation.
Thick smoke and fire rise from Bahrain’s oil refinery after Iranian drone strikes.
Broader Impact and Outlook
Iranian casualties have exceeded 1,300 since February 28. Civilian deaths in Israel (~10–13) and the Gulf remain limited thanks to defenses, but infrastructure and economic damage is mounting. President Trump called the campaign “very far ahead of schedule.” Iran’s IRGC vows to continue “as long as necessary.”
President Trump has indicated that the bulk of the U.S. military objectives have been met, perhaps indicating that the conflict may be ending soon. This differs from some of his earlier comments, indicating that they will end with Iran's unconditional surrender. Consequently, the situation remains highly fluid.
Sources:
Al Jazeera – “Iran fires more missiles, drones across Gulf region” and video reports.
BBC News – Iran targets Gulf states footage.
Critical Threats Project / Institute for the Study of War – Iran Update reports with satellite imagery.
The New York Times – Satellite damage mapping.
Reuters / AP News – Satellite and video galleries.
IDF and CENTCOM official statements.
Wikipedia – List of attacks during the 2026 Iran war (for timeline reference).
