Rabia İclal Turan
11 March 2026•Update: 11 March 2026
WASHINGTON
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that their air defense systems intercepted attacks involving drones and ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) heading toward the Shaybah oil field in the country’s southeast were shot down and destroyed.
In a separate post on the US social media company X’s platform, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said six ballistic missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base were shot down by air defense systems.
Another missile was intercepted in the eastern part of the country, the statement said.
Air defenses also destroyed two drones in the eastern governorate of Hafar al-Batin, according to the ministry.
The UAE’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses were responding to incoming missiles and affirmed the country’s “full readiness to deal with all threats” to protect its territory and ensure the safety of citizens and residents.
Since the start of the Iranian attacks on the country, authorities said they have detected 1,475 drones, destroying 1,385, while 90 fell inside the UAE.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said sirens were activated due to an attack, urging residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location.
Regional escalation has intensified since Israel and the US launched a joint attack against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people and injuring over 10,000.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting US military assets across the region as well as several Israeli cities.
