March 29, 2026 : Defence forces across the Gulf remain on high alert as Iran continues coordinated waves of missile and drone attacks targeting the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain. The strikes appear to be a direct retaliation for earlier US and Israeli attacks on key Iranian steel facilities, with Tehran now focusing on comparable industrial assets across the region.
In the UAE, Emirates Global Aluminium has reported damage at its Al Taweelah plant in Abu Dhabi. In Bahrain, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) confirmed that two workers sustained minor injuries after facilities were hit. Iranian forces have justified the strikes by alleging links between these industrial sites and US defence and aviation sectors.
According to the UAE’s defence ministry, air defence systems intercepted 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones in a single day. Since the conflict began, nearly 400 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and close to 1,900 drones have been engaged. The broader aluminium sector is now under pressure, with Gulf producers accounting for roughly nine percent of global supply. Disruptions have intensified as commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely halted.
At the same time, Israel has carried out one of its most extensive operations inside Iran, launching strikes across Tehran. The Israeli military claims it targeted weapons storage and production facilities, ballistic missile infrastructure, air defence systems and observation posts. Temporary command centres were also hit, with reports that senior commanders present at these sites were killed.
These strikes mark a major escalation, with Israel directly targeting what it describes as the core of Iran’s military and production network. Iranian officials and the Revolutionary Guard have warned of further retaliation, including threats of attacks on US and Israeli-linked institutions in the region unless Washington condemns the strikes.
Adding to the escalation, Yemen’s Houthis have launched a second wave of cruise missile attacks on Israel, signalling the opening of a sustained new front. The group has stated that its operations will continue as long as Israeli military actions persist.
The Houthis’ involvement introduces a significant strategic dimension. Controlling territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, they are positioned along one of the world’s most critical maritime routes linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. This corridor handles a substantial portion of global oil and cargo shipments toward Europe.
With repeated attacks and their proximity to this vital chokepoint, the Houthis have expanded the conflict into a third front. Their geographic distance from Israel complicates any direct military response, making them one of the most challenging actors in an already widening regional conflict.
