Multiple countries in the Middle East reported intercepting drones and missiles in the early hours of Friday, March 20, 2026, local time. The attacks come as Muslims across the region celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The escalation raises concerns about wider regional instability.
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, reported that defenses were activated against “hostile targets” in the east of the capital, Tehran. Simultaneously, Israel’s military stated it had launched “a wave of attacks” throughout the region and identified missiles launched from Iran, with defense systems working to intercept them.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed it had intercepted at least a dozen drones over the eastern regions of the country, and one over the northern Al-Jawf region in recent hours. The United Arab Emirates reported its air defenses were responding to “missile and drone threats originating from Iran,” with Dubai’s government media office stating that sounds heard in the emirate were the result of successful interceptions.
A fire broke out in a warehouse in Bahrain after falling debris from an Iranian attack, according to the country’s Interior Ministry. In Kuwait, sirens were activated as the army claimed to be intercepting missiles and drones.
The current conflict stems from a war between the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28 when a coordinated attack resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.
Several high-ranking Iranian officials have also been killed. The U.S. Military has also claimed to have destroyed dozens of the country’s naval vessels, as well as air defense systems, aircraft, and other military targets.
In retaliation, the Iranian regime has launched attacks against several countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, and Oman. Iranian authorities state they are only targeting U.S. And Israeli interests within those nations.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists Agency, more than 1,200 civilians have died in Iran since the start of the war. The White House, for its part, has recorded at least seven deaths of American soldiers directly related to Iranian attacks.
The conflict has also expanded to Lebanon. Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, attacked Israeli territory in retaliation for the death of Ali Khamenei, prompting Israeli air strikes against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in the neighboring country. Hundreds of people have died in Lebanon since then.
Following the deaths of much of its leadership, an Iranian council elected a new supreme leader: Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei. Experts suggest he will not make structural changes and represents a continuation of repression.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed discontent with this choice, calling it a “huge mistake.” He had stated he needed to be involved in the process and asserted that Mojtaba would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s leader.
