Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones early Sunday, hours after Iran warned residents to evacuate three key UAE ports.

The attacks came a day after Iran's military on Saturday issued an unprecedented evacuation order for Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and the Port of Fujairah, accusing the United States of using the facilities to launch strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal. Tehran described the ports as 'legitimate targets' due to alleged American presence there.

UAE air defenses intercepted four Iranian ballistic missiles and six drones in the latest barrage, with no immediate reports of damage or casualties from those specific projectiles. Debris from an intercepted drone sparked a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah, though the extent of damage remained unclear Sunday afternoon. Saudi Arabia destroyed 10 drones over Riyadh and its eastern region, while Bahrain reported interceptions amid ongoing exchanges.

The strikes are part of a broader escalation in the 2026 Iran war, which began in late February with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military sites following heightened regional tensions. Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf states hosting U.S. forces, with most intercepted but some causing limited damage and casualties. In the UAE alone, prior attacks since February 28 killed six people—mostly migrant workers—and injured 141 others.

U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the threats by urging allies to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz to secure shipping lanes, where traffic has nearly halted and oil prices have surged 40 percent. The International Energy Agency announced the release of nearly 400 million barrels from emergency stocks to ease global supply concerns.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Gulf neighbors to 'expel foreign aggressors' and dismissed Trump's appeal as 'begging,' while stating the Strait remains open except to U.S. and allied vessels. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash criticized Iran's actions as reflecting a 'confused policy.'

The conflict has disrupted regional events, including the cancellation of Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and prompted Aluminium Bahrain to curtail nearly one-fifth of its production. Pope Leo XIV appealed for a ceasefire to reopen dialogue, amid reports of over 1,300 deaths in Iran from U.S. and Israeli strikes.