Iran has apparently decided that if it can’t win the fight that it’s in against the United States and Israel, the next best option is to start punching everyone else in the neighborhood to piss them off.
In recent days, Iranian forces have launched waves of missiles and drones toward Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates, with attempted strikes and debris reported around places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Iran has also aimed their missiles at Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq and others. Thankfully, most of these attacks have been intercepted by air defenses.
Some of the attacks have targeted U.S. military bases located in those countries, which Tehran considers fair game because American forces operate there. Translation: if your neighbor lets the U.S. park a few jets in the driveway or rent out a garage to the U.S. Air Force, Iran might lob a missile over the fence. Other targets have been civilian infrastructure like airports and energy sites.
The broader strategy isn’t exactly subtle. Analysts say Iran’s goal is to spread the conflict across the region and scare Gulf nations into pressuring the U.S. and Israel to back off.
That means places better known for luxury hotels and shopping malls are suddenly dodging drones instead of tourists – and getting a crash course in missile defense.