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3. Missile and Drone Attacks Across Gulf as Iran Walks Back Apology

Even as President Masoud Pezeskian signaled his desire to deescalate with Iran’s Arab neighbors, attacks continued on the Gulf on Sunday.

Kuwait intercepted three ballistic missiles on Suday but suffered damage in a drone attack to a government building housing the Public Institution for Social Security. In a separate incident, fuel tanks at the Gulf nation's international airport came under drone attack, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Bahrain said that Iran struck a desalination plant while Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said they intercepted six ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles.

Two were killed in Saudi Arabia when an unspecified military projectile fell on a residential building in Saudi Arabia’s al-Kharj city. Iran’s IRGC had earlier said they targeted radar systems in locations including Al-Kharj, home to Prince Sultan base. The Defense Ministry reported intercepting 15 drones, including some involved in an attempted attack in the diplomatic quarter of the capital Riyadh.

UAE air defenses reported 17 ballistic missile attacks and 117 UAVs today. 

The Emirates fielded roughly the same number of ballistic missiles and UAV attacks yesterday March 7, and while the drone figures have remained consistent throughout the week, this weekend has seen the quantity of ballistic missiles attacks more than double. 

Diplomatic Picture

Iranian President Masoud Pezeskian publically walked back a statement where he apologized for striking Iran’s Arab neighbors today, following President Trump’s statement yesterday which portrayed the apology as surrender. According to Reuters, the reversal was driven by internal pressure from party hardliners and has revealed “cracks” emerging in Iran’s leadership.

Also today, Gulf countries met via videoconference under the auspices of the Arab League to discuss the ongoing attacks. They condemned Iran’s escalation against civilian targets and vital facilities in the Arabian Gulf, warning that the attacks could push the region onto a “dangerous trajectory.”

Informed sources told the AFP that the Revolutionary Guard has vowed to increase its use of drones by 20% and missiles by 100%.