Air defense systems across Israel and Gulf states intercept incoming Iranian missiles and drones as global markets react and world leaders signal the conflict may be approaching its final phase.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Iran launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks across the Middle East on March 10, triggering air defense responses in Israel and several Gulf Arab states as the regional conflict intensified.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait reported intercepting incoming threats as Iranian projectiles approached their territories. Defense systems across the region were activated as governments issued safety alerts to residents.
The United Arab Emirates confirmed that its air defenses had engaged incoming threats. In a statement posted online, the country’s Ministry of Defence said its systems were responding to missiles and drones while urging residents to comply with safety instructions issued by authorities.
Emergency warnings were also issued in Bahrain as air defenses tracked potential threats approaching the island nation. In a message posted publicly, the country’s Ministry of Interior advised residents to take precautionary measures.
“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting several Iranian drones over its territory. According to statements released by the kingdom’s Ministry of Defense, air defense systems destroyed two drones in the eastern region and another near the Al-Kharj governorate.
Kuwait also reported intercepting incoming drones. Brig. Gen. Jadaan Fadel Jadaan, spokesperson for the National Guard, said in a public message that Kuwaiti forces had shot down six drones near locations north and south of the country. He said National Guard personnel were operating alongside the army, police, and the General Fire Force while maintaining heightened alert status to protect national security and stability.
Israel reported that Iranian missiles were launched toward the country early on March 10. The Israeli Air Force said defense systems were actively working to intercept the incoming threats and instructed residents in affected areas to seek shelter until authorities provided further instructions.
Israel’s military also reported conducting strikes inside Iran during the overnight hours. Officials said a weapons research-and-development site in Tehran was targeted as part of a broader wave of attacks on the capital. Additional strikes were launched later in the day against what the Israeli military described as assets belonging to the Iranian regime.
Residents in Tehran described the overnight bombardment by U.S. and Israeli forces as among the most intense since the conflict began, according to accounts provided to Reuters.
The Israeli Air Force later confirmed that its aircraft carried out a series of operations targeting military infrastructure in Tehran connected to Iranian government forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the conflict during a meeting with hospital and health system leaders on March 10, stating that the future of Iran ultimately lies with its own citizens.
“Our aspiration is to enable the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny; ultimately, it is up to them,” Netanyahu said. “But there is no doubt that through the actions taken so far, we are breaking their bones and we are still active.”
U.S. Central Command said American forces remained engaged in the operation. In a public statement posted online, the command said, “Day and NIGHT, U.S. forces continue to deliver overwhelming firepower.”
The conflict has unsettled global financial markets and driven sharp fluctuations in oil prices as investors weigh the potential impact on global energy supplies.
Brent crude prices surged close to $120 per barrel on March 9 before easing. On March 10, the benchmark was trading around $91.
President Donald Trump sought to reassure markets that the conflict could conclude soon. Speaking during an interview with CBS on March 9, Trump said the U.S.–Israeli military campaign had already significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities.
“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” Trump said during the interview with CBS correspondent Weijia Jiang. “They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no Air Force.”
Trump previously indicated the conflict could last roughly a month but suggested on March 9 that the timeline may be shorter than expected, describing the military effort as likely to remain a “short-term excursion.”
Iranian officials, however, signaled that Tehran intends to continue fighting.
“We are the ones who will determine the end of the war,” Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini said on March 9, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow a single liter of oil to be exported from the region until further notice due to ongoing aggressions by the US army and the Zionist regime against the Iranian people and service infrastructure,” he said.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also rejected the possibility of a cease-fire.
“We believe we must strike the aggressor in the mouth so that he will never think of attacking our beloved Iran again,” Ghalibaf said in a public statement. “The Zionist regime sees its ignoble existence in perpetuating the cycle of ‘war-negotiation-ceasefire and then war again’ in order to consolidate its dominance. We will break this cycle.”
Washington has warned Tehran against attempting to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes.
Trump warned that any Iranian attempt to disrupt traffic through the waterway would trigger a significantly stronger U.S. response.
“I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe’s oil supply,” Trump said during a press conference at his golf resort near Miami.
He added that while U.S. forces had so far avoided targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, that policy could change.
“If Iran does anything to [block the strait], they’ll get hit at a much, much harder level,” Trump said.
He later repeated the warning on social media.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote.
The Trump administration has also authorized a $20 billion reinsurance program through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation aimed at encouraging tanker traffic to continue operating through the strategic waterway.
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the outcome of the conflict will likely depend on both financial pressures and available military resources.
“Two forces will ultimately shape how and when this ends: markets and munitions,” Blinken said in a public message, adding that observers should monitor “the oil, stock, and bond markets” as well as missile supplies among the United States and its regional partners.
Saudi Arabia condemned the Iranian strikes and signaled that it may respond if attacks on its territory or regional partners continue.
In a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry, officials said the attacks “cannot be accepted or justified under any circumstances.”
The ministry added that the kingdom “retains its full right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents, and to deter aggression.”
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina called for Gulf nations to take a more active role in confronting Tehran.
In a public statement, Graham said Saudi Arabia should consider participating directly in military operations against Iran.
“Americans are dying and the U.S. is spending billions to dislodge the terrorist Iranian regime that threatens the region,” Graham said. “Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia seems to be issuing statements and doing things in the background that are marginally helpful, but unwilling to participate in military operations to end the reign of terror coming out of Iran.”
He added that he hopes Gulf Cooperation Council countries will increase their involvement in confronting Iran.
“If you are not willing to use your military now, when are you willing to use it? Hopefully this changes soon,” Graham said. “If not, consequences will follow.”
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