Gulf countries scramble to intercept missiles after U.S.-Iran ceasefire
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – APRIL 08: An Iranian cluster munition is fired towards Tel Aviv and the surrounding area around 3 AM on April 08, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Alexi Rosenfeld | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Several Middle Eastern countries experienced incoming missiles and drones from Iran on Wednesday, leading to the activation of air defenses across the Gulf shortly after a two-week ceasefire was announced between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S. and Iran reached a temporary truce just before the deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for launching large-scale attacks if no agreement was reached. The ceasefire would allow for a two-week period of negotiations, with U.S. and Iranian delegations scheduled to meet in Islamabad on Friday.
The ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, was dependent on the “complete, immediate, and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, as stated by Trump.
In a statement on Wednesday, Iranian officials mentioned that if attacks against Iran ceased, their Armed Forces would also halt their defensive operations. Tehran added that safe passage through the strait would be feasible through coordination with their armed forces, with consideration for technical limitations.
Despite the ceasefire, missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel and various Gulf states.
The Israeli military reported identifying ballistic missile attacks from Iran early Wednesday, issuing early warnings in central and northern parts of the country.
The United Arab Emirates confirmed that their air defense systems were intercepting missiles and drones, advising the public to stay in safe locations.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense organization also issued early warnings of potential danger across the country, including in Riyadh. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar also activated defenses in response to threats in the region.
Ceasefire Implementation
The ongoing attacks raised concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire agreement, especially if negotiations falter or collapse during the two-week period.
Both the U.S. and Israel have conducted over 3,000 strikes on Iran since the conflict began on Feb. 28, with Iran retaliating with 1,511 strikes against targets in Israel and neighboring Gulf countries, according to ACLED.
Reports indicate that weapon stockpiles in the region are under strain, as some Gulf states have depleted a significant portion of their interceptor inventories.
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan warned Gulf states to be mindful of their relations with Iran, predicting that America would eventually withdraw from the region, leaving them behind.
Recent Iranian attacks have targeted several Middle Eastern countries, serving as leverage over Gulf countries and the U.S.
While Gulf air defenses have been effective against ballistic missiles, they have struggled against Iranian drones, which are cheaper to produce and often deployed in large numbers.
Recent strikes have caused substantial damage to energy infrastructure in the region, with an attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plants resulting in a 17% reduction in output that could take years to recover.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash emphasized the need for a long-term solution for Gulf security, expressing skepticism towards a ceasefire that does not address underlying issues with Iran.
