Nearly Half of Iran’s Strikes Are Hitting One Country

As the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel intensifies, one country has emerged as the principal target of Tehran’s retaliatory campaign.

Data compiled by Gulf officials shows that nearly half of the missiles and drones launched by Iran since the start of the war have been directed at the United Arab Emirates, making it the most heavily struck country in the region.

Officials say the country has been hit by 1,728 Iranian missiles and drones, accounting for roughly 44 percent of the total attacks launched by Tehran. Kuwait ranks as the second-most targeted country, drawing about 24 percent of the strikes.

Israel has received roughly 14 percent, while Bahrain has been hit by around 9 percent. Saudi Arabia has faced about 5 percent of the overall barrage according to Newsmax.

The wave of attacks followed joint American and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Within hours, Iranian forces began launching missiles and drones across the Gulf, targeting countries that host American military installations or maintain close security partnerships with Washington.

Although several countries have been struck or threatened, the United Arab Emirates has borne the brunt of the campaign. Analysts say Tehran views the country as a strategic target because of its close defense cooperation with the United States, its expanding ties with Israel and its role as one of the Middle East’s most important economic centers.

Some of the strikes have been directed at major Emirati cities and infrastructure hubs. Explosions have been reported in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the country’s political and financial centers.

🚨 BREAKING: The US Consulate in Dubai is ON FIRE after a reported strike on the building

Pray that ZERO Americans were hurt 🙏🏻

pic.twitter.com/fxodvl0GGr

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 3, 2026

Falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones has damaged residential neighborhoods and commercial districts in Dubai, including areas near Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab hotel, according to official reports. In Abu Dhabi, debris from intercepted projectiles landed near Zayed International Airport and in surrounding districts, causing casualties and damage to buildings and vehicles.

Iranian strikes have also reportedly targeted key economic infrastructure, including Dubai International Airport and shipping routes connected to the country’s major ports. Despite the scale of the attacks, most incoming missiles and drones have been intercepted by advanced air defense systems operated by the United Arab Emirates and allied forces.

Even so, the barrage has resulted in casualties. Emirati officials say at least six people have been killed and more than 120 injured since the strikes began.

Many of the injuries have been caused by shrapnel and falling debris from intercepted missiles rather than direct impacts. Among the victims are foreign laborers from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, who make up a significant portion of the country’s workforce.

Two drones ‌fell near Dubai’s main airport and Bahrain evacuated some planes, as attacks on infrastructure across the Gulf continued to disrupt air traffic, hampering efforts to restore flights as the Iran War entered a 12th day https://t.co/gvGDGgS7CD pic.twitter.com/HtrLRYKygx

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 11, 2026

Authorities have periodically closed airspace, issued emergency alerts and urged residents to remain indoors during missile warnings.

Several factors help explain why the United Arab Emirates has become Iran’s primary target.

The country hosts American military facilities, including Al Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi, which supports U.S. air operations across the Middle East. Iranian leaders have repeatedly warned that countries assisting American military action could face retaliation.

The Emirates also serve as a major financial and logistics hub connecting Western markets with the Gulf and Asia. Strikes there carry the potential to disrupt trade routes, aviation and energy flows that pass through the region.

Iran has also long objected to the Emirates’ growing relationship with Israel. The normalization of relations between the two countries under the Abraham Accords deepened economic and security cooperation, which Iranian officials have publicly condemned.

The escalation has heightened concerns about the stability of global energy markets, particularly as military activity spreads closer to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a large portion of the world’s oil exports pass.

For now, the United Arab Emirates continues to rely on its air defense systems and support from allied forces to blunt the attacks. But with the conflict still unfolding, analysts warn that the country could remain a central focus of Iran’s retaliation as long as the broader war continues.