International Gulf countries coming under attack from Iran warn of retaliation by Laura Kelly - 02/28/26 12:06 PM ET by Laura Kelly - 02/28/26 12:06 PM ET Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email NOW PLAYING Gulf countries expressed outrage on Saturday in the face of military attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran, a rare show of unity in pushing back against Tehran in the wake of U.S. and Israeli strikes against the country.  Iran is retaliating in the face of President Trump’s early Saturday decision to launch a major military operation with Israel aimed at toppling the regime in Tehran. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait all appeared to have been targeted by Iranian attacks. Iran also targeted sites in Jordan. All of these countries host U.S. bases or forces in the region. “The regime has not capitulated in the least. At least not yet,” said Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington based thinktank.  “They are fighting back and so what we’re watching is this sort of test of wills,” he said in a briefing on Saturday, responding to Iran’s targeting of Gulf states.  Saudi Arabia announced it would aid countries in repelling Iranian attacks.  “Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the Kingdom’s full solidarity with the countries concerned and its firm support for them, stating that it would mobilize all its capabilities to assist them in any measures they undertake,” the ministry said in a statement.  The UAE, in a statement, emphasized that the country’s security is “indivisible” from its Gulf neighbors “and that any infringement on the sovereignty of any state constitutes a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region.” Schanzer said it’s interesting to see the countries “banding together with the United States.”  “The Emiratis and the Saudis are now speaking the same language,” he said. “They have been at odds with one another over the last several weeks, they are issuing statements of support for one another as Iranian missiles and drones are getting shot across the region.”  Here’s a breakdown of attacks so far as this story develops:  Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia said Iranian attacks targeted the capital city of Riyadh and the Eastern Province. The Kingdom said it had successfully intercepted Iranian attacks.  In a statement on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned Iranian strikes on its territory, calling them unjustified because the Kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace to be used for any U.S. or Israeli attacks against the country.  “These attacks cannot be justified under any pretext or in any way whatsoever, and they came despite the Iranian authorities’ knowledge that the Kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used to target Iran,”  the statement read. Bahrain Iran managed a strike against a service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain, Reuters reported  The Kingdom of Bahrain said in a statement it “had been subjected to external attacks targeting sites and installations within its borders” but said it successfully intercepted some Iranian attacks.  “The Government affirmed its full right to respond and to take all necessary measures to defend its national security and safeguard its sovereignty, in coordination with its allies and partners.” Qatar Qatar reportedly intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles targeting the Al-Udeid airbase in Doha, which hosts the U.S. Central Command.  Qatar warned it reserves the right to retaliate in the face of Iranian strikes, but called for a cessation of hostilities and warned of a wider regional war.  Qatar called for “efforts to contain the crisis in a manner that preserves the security of the region, safeguards the interests of its peoples, and prevents a slide into broader confrontations.” UAE Explosions were reported across Dubai and Abu Dhabi and the Emirati government said it reserved the right to respond. A Pakistani citizen was reportedly killed in the UAE related to the interception of an Iranian missile.  “The UAE will not tolerate any compromise to its security or sovereignty under any circumstances,” the foreign ministry said in a statement on X.  Reuters reported at least five booms in rapid succession that caused windows to vibrate in a house near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, its premier waterfront promenade.  Kuwait A drone targeted Kuwait’s International Airport on Saturday, resulting in minor injuries to a number of workers and limited material damage to the passenger termina, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement.  Earlier on Saturday, Kuwai