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Kuwait's airport experienced significant disruptions following Iranian drone strikes, underscoring the increasing tensions between the two nations. The incident has raised concerns about regional stability and security.

Ukraine's expertise in drone technology has garnered attention from countries in the Gulf region, which are looking to bolster their defense capabilities. The country's experience in using drones in conflict zones has made its technology and know-how an attractive proposition for Gulf nations. Ukraine's drone industry has seen significant growth in recent years, driven in part by the need to counter threats on its own borders. This growth has led to the development of a range of drones, from small reconnaissance units to larger, more heavily armed models. Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have been investing heavily in their military capabilities in recent years, seeking to modernize their defense systems and address emerging threats. The interest in Ukraine's drone technology is part of this broader effort to enhance their military capabilities. The potential for partnerships between Ukraine and Gulf countries in the field of drone technology could have significant implications for regional security dynamics. As these countries look to develop their own drone capabilities, they may also be seeking to reduce their reliance on traditional defense suppliers.

Recent air strikes on Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) have resulted in the deaths of three PMF fighters and two Iraqi police officers. The attacks, which occurred near northern Iraq's Kirkuk Airport, also left two fighters wounded and six Iraqi soldiers injured.An Iraqi security source revealed that the double-bombing was part of the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, which has been spilling over into Iraq's eastern border. The PMF, a coalition now integrated into the regular Iraqi army, accused the US and Israel of a 'treacherous Zionist-American' attack.In a separate incident, Reuters reported that two members of the Iraqi police were killed in an air strike targeting the PMF in Mosul, approximately 105 miles northwest of Kirkuk. This development has contributed to the escalating tensions in the region.Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reported from Baghdad that Iraq is becoming an 'expanding battleground' in the crisis. The conflict began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and now threatens to engulf the region in a protracted conflict.The PMF, formed in 2014 to fight ISIL (ISIS), has been targeted by pro-Iran armed groups within the coalition. These groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and beyond.Haque noted that the PMF takes its orders from Baghdad, but some factions are loyal to Tehran. This complex dynamic makes it challenging for Baghdad to manage the different factions effectively.Iraq finds itself 'on a tightrope' between the US and Iran, said Haque, due to its economic and security ties with both countries. The government must balance its relationships with its biggest neighbor, Iran, and the United States.In related incidents, two drones targeted an airbase serving as a hub for US and coalition forces near Erbil airport in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The US C-RAM air defence system successfully intercepted the drones.French President Emmanuel Macron described the increased attacks in Iraq as a 'worrying development' after speaking to Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdish region.

Iran launched a significant attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, wounding at least 15 American soldiers, with five in serious condition. The assault involved at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones.The base, located about 96km from the Saudi capital Riyadh, is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force but also serves as a critical location for American forces. The injured US troops were inside a building at the base during the strike.According to reports, the Iranian attack resulted in the destruction of one refuelling aircraft and damaged three others, putting them out of service. Satellite images published by Iran's Press TV showed significant damage to several aircraft at the airbase.This incident marks a continuation of the escalating conflict in the region, which began with a joint assault by Israel and the United States on February 28. Iran has been conducting retaliatory attacks on Gulf nations it accuses of serving as a launchpad for US strikes.The conflict has seen significant casualties on both sides. At least 13 US military service members have been killed since the war on Iran started, with over 300 American troops wounded. Iran's government has not released an updated casualty toll, but the US-based activist group HRANA reported 1,167 Iranian soldiers killed and 658 troops with unknown status as of March 23.The attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base is part of a broader pattern of Iranian retaliation. The base has been consistently targeted since the war began, highlighting the strategic importance of the location and the ongoing tensions in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stern warning to neighboring countries, urging them not to allow the US and Israel to use their territory to launch attacks against Iran. In a post on X, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran does not initiate preemptive attacks but will strongly retaliate if its infrastructure or economic centers are targeted. “To the countries of the region: If you want development and security, don’t let our enemies run the war from your lands,” Pezeshkian stated. This message is part of a broader effort by Iran to prevent the escalation of the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. The conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched air strikes across Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, the situation has shown no signs of de-escalation, with Israel announcing daily strikes on Iran and Tehran continuing to target its arch-rival and countries hosting US military assets. In recent developments, several Gulf states have been targeted in attacks. In Kuwait, multiple drone attacks damaged the international airport's radar system, while in Abu Dhabi, strikes caused debris to fall near the Khalifa Economic Zone, injuring six people. Iran's military claimed to have struck a Ukrainian anti-drone system depot in Dubai, which it alleged supported US forces. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also urged regional countries to distance themselves from the US, reiterating Iran's stance that it will not tolerate the use of neighboring territories for hostile actions. The conflict has resulted in significant disruptions across the region, with at least 15 American soldiers wounded in an Iranian attack on a Saudi airbase on Friday. The situation remains volatile, with alarm sirens activated in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia's defense ministry reporting ballistic missile and drone attacks, all of which were allegedly shot down.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has concluded defence agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, focusing on joint expertise in countering threats from missiles and drones. The agreements were made during Zelenskyy's visit to Doha and the UAE earlier in the day. The defence pact with Qatar includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems. This move comes as Iran continues to attack its Gulf neighbours, with Tehran insisting it targets only US assets in retaliation for the US-Israeli war on Iran. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to help Gulf nations counter Iranian drones. Kyiv has proposed swapping its interceptors for the more expensive air-defence missiles used by Gulf countries to down Iranian drones. Ukraine needs these missiles to fend off near-daily Russian missile attacks. The agreements highlight Ukraine's growing role as a leading producer of sophisticated, battlefield-proven drone interceptors. The country's expertise in downing Russian drones, which have been attacking Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, is seen as a cost-effective solution for Gulf nations. For instance, Ukraine's interceptors cost around $2,000 each, compared to the $4 million cost of a Patriot missile. Zelenskyy's diplomatic tour aims to secure funding and technology in return for Middle East support. The US-Israeli war on Iran has depleted Patriot missile stocks, which concerns Ukraine as it needs these missiles to counter Russian ballistic missiles.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel, marking their first such attack since the US-Israel war on Iran began. The assault was announced by Brigadier-General Yahya Saree, a military spokesman for the Houthis, on their Al-Masirah satellite television. The attack targeted what Saree described as 'sensitive Israeli military sites' in southern Israel. The Israeli military reported intercepting one of the missiles. This development comes as Iran and Hezbollah continue to fire on Israel, with sirens sounding around Beer Sheba and near Israel's main nuclear research centre. Saree stated that the strikes 'will continue until the declared objectives are achieved, as stated in the previous statement by the armed forces, and until the aggression against all fronts of the resistance ceases'. This escalation follows a vague statement by Saree on Friday signaling the rebels' intention to join the conflict. The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen's capital, Sanaa, since 2014, had previously stayed out of the US-Israel war. However, they have been involved in attacks on shipping vessels during the Israel-Hamas war, disrupting commercial transit in the Red Sea. Over 100 merchant vessels were attacked with missiles and drones, resulting in two ships sinking and four sailors killed between November 2023 and January 2025. Experts consider the Houthis' entry into the US-Israeli war on Iran as 'very significant'. Mohamad Elmasry, a professor of Media Studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, noted that if the Houthis were to shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal, it would impact two major international shipping waterways, alongside the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera's Nida Ibrahim reported from Ramallah that the opening of a new front in the war is likely to raise questions in Israel about 'the viability of the operations and the way the government is conducting its war'. She expects Israel to retaliate to this attack, as seen in previous instances when Yemen joined the battle.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, held crucial talks with senior US officials in Washington, DC, as tensions escalate in the Gulf region due to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.The meetings, which included US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary Scott Bessent, focused on strengthening the "close strategic cooperation" between Doha and Washington, particularly in defense partnerships given the current regional challenges.Both sides emphasized the importance of ensuring the sustainability of energy supplies and maintaining the flow of liquefied natural gas from Qatar to global markets, supporting global energy security.Vance praised Qatar's active role in promoting regional stability and enhancing global energy security, highlighting the robust strategic partnership between the two nations.The Gulf region has been under heightened tension since February 28, when the US-Israeli war on Iran began, resulting in over 3,000 deaths across the region, mostly in Iran and Lebanon.Iran has since launched drone and missile attacks on Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states, prompting regional leaders to urge Iran to cease these attacks to protect civilians.Earlier this month, Qatar reported that Iranian missile attacks on the Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country's main gas facility, caused "significant damage."The conflict has led to an unprecedented global energy crisis as Iran has effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes.On Thursday, Sheikh Mohammed also met with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington, focusing on developing defense and security collaboration amid regional challenges.The Qatari Cabinet has condemned Iranian attacks on Qatar and its neighbors, calling for an immediate halt to these actions.

A recent drone operation has provided a comprehensive view of the destruction caused by an Iranian missile strike in the Israeli city of Arad. The aerial footage showcases the extent of the damage inflicted upon the city, highlighting the severity of the attack.The drone's revelations come as a significant development in understanding the impact of Iranian missile strikes on Israeli territories. The city of Arad, located in the southern part of Israel, has been a focal point of recent tensions between Iran and Israel.The use of drone technology to assess and document damage is a critical tool in modern conflict zones, allowing for precise evaluations of the aftermath of such attacks. This footage serves as a testament to the evolving nature of modern warfare and the increasing reliance on advanced technology for both offensive and defensive operations.