Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Four Gulf countries reported on Friday that their air defense systems intercepted a new wave of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones targeting strategic and civilian sites, in a sharp escalation of regional tensions.
Defense authorities in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates confirmed that multiple incoming threats were neutralized, including attacks aimed at ports and critical infrastructure.
In Saudi Arabia, military spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki said air defenses intercepted and destroyed three drones over the Riyadh region, with debris falling near a military site without causing casualties.
In additional statements, Saudi officials reported that ten more drones were intercepted across Riyadh and the Eastern Province during separate attack waves. The military also detected the launch of six ballistic missiles toward Riyadh, two of which were intercepted, while the remaining four landed in the waters of the Arabian Gulf or in uninhabited areas.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defense announced that its air defense systems intercepted six ballistic missiles and nine drones launched toward the country.
The UAE also released cumulative figures, stating that since the beginning of the current escalation, its forces have intercepted 378 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,835 drones, highlighting the sustained scale of the threat.
No casualties or significant damage were immediately reported. However, the continued attacks underscore rising instability in the region and growing concerns over the safety of critical infrastructure, energy routes, and global trade corridors.
The latest developments come as diplomatic efforts intensify to contain the crisis, but the persistence of such attacks signals that the situation remains volatile, with the risk of further escalation still high.
