Iran has continued missile and drone strikes across several Gulf states despite earlier assurances by President Masoud Pezeshkian that Tehran would avoid targeting neighbouring countries unless attacks originated from their territories.
The escalation comes amid the ongoing military confrontation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
A resident of the United Arab Emirates was killed on Saturday after debris from an intercepted missile strike fell on a vehicle in the Al Barsha area of Dubai.
According to the Dubai Media Office, the victim was an Asian driver. Authorities did not disclose further details about the individual.
The incident occurred in the evening as the UAE confirmed it was responding to “incoming missile and drone threats from Iran”.
Iran has launched missile and drone strikes against several US military installations across the Gulf region, including bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait.
The strikes are part of Tehran’s retaliation following what it described as “pre-emptive” attacks carried out last week by the United States and Israel.
Earlier, Pezeshkian had apologised to neighbouring countries affected by the attacks, stating that Iran had instructed its armed forces not to target regional states unless they were directly involved in hostilities.
Despite the pledge, Gulf states continued to report incoming Iranian strikes. Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said its armed forces successfully intercepted a missile attack.
In Saudi Arabia, the defence ministry disclosed that a ballistic missile was launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base near the city of Al-Kharj but landed in an unpopulated area.
Authorities across the region said air defence systems were intercepting ballistic missiles while fighter jets engaged drones and other aerial threats.
Iranian officials maintain that the attacks are directed solely at US military assets rather than the sovereignty of Gulf states.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, said the policy had been communicated to regional governments.
He said, “Before the start of the ‘Ramadan war’, we clearly announced to each and every country in the region that if America takes military action against Iran, we will definitely target American bases.
“These bases are considered American territory and not the territory of the countries in the region; this policy has not changed in any way and will continue with determination.”
However, some Gulf countries have complained that Iranian strikes have also affected civilian infrastructure, including oil refineries, airports and hotels.
In a separate statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its military “respects the interests and national sovereignty of neighbouring countries and has not yet attacked them”.
“However, in the continuation of previous offensive actions, all military bases and interests of the criminal America and the fake Zionist regime on land, sea and space in the region will be subjected to crushing and fierce blows,” the IRGC added.
Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the Iranian military, warned that any country allowing its territory or airspace to be used against Iran would be considered a legitimate target.
Meanwhile, foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council are expected to meet on Sunday as tensions in the region continue to rise.
