US-Israel war on Iran: Gulf states intercept fresh strikes, Trump claims Iran is ‘totally defeated and wants a deal’, Day 15 updates
Follow live updates about US-Israel conflict on Iran here
Follow live updates about US-Israel conflict on Iran here
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announced the successful evacuation and safe return of approximately 6,000 UAE nationals and their companions from several countries, brought back through various land and air entry points in coordination with relevant authorities.
The operations were carried out as part of the UAE’s national emergency response system, with diplomatic missions abroad playing a key role in coordinating with local authorities to facilitate travel for citizens unable to return due to regional developments. Some flights also included residents stranded abroad due to airspace closures, reflecting what authorities described as the UAE’s humanitarian approach to all who form part of its social fabric.
MoFA and NCEMA urged UAE nationals abroad to register with the Twajudi service and to contact the dedicated emergency hotline at +971 80024 in cases of emergency. The public was also urged to follow official guidance, rely only on verified information sources, and refrain from spreading rumours.
Both authorities affirmed their continued readiness to monitor regional developments and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens and residents.
US President Donald J. Trump said that multiple countries are set to deploy warships alongside the United States to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that 100 per cent of Iran’s military capability has already been destroyed, but warned that Iran could still pose a residual threat through drones, mines, or short-range missiles in the waterway.
“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated. In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he said.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence announced that two hostile drones targeted Ahmad Al-Jaber Air Base, causing material damage in the surrounding area. Three members of the armed forces sustained minor injuries and are receiving treatment, with their condition reported as stable.
Defence Ministry Spokesperson Colonel Saud Al-Atwan told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that armed forces detected seven hostile drones over the past 24 hours in total. Three were destroyed, two fell outside the threat zone and posed no danger, while the remaining two struck the air base.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the second attack on the UAE Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, describing it as a rejected act and a flagrant violation of international norms and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The statement was carried by Qatar News Agency.
The ministry called the attack a dangerous escalation that threatens the safety of diplomatic personnel and undermines internationally recognised rules of diplomatic conduct. Qatar reaffirmed its firm rejection of all acts of violence and terrorism targeting diplomatic missions, expressed solidarity with the UAE, and voiced support for efforts to enhance security and stability in Iraq and the broader region.
The UAE has strongly condemned a drone attack targeting its Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the second such attack within a week. Two security personnel were injured and the consulate building sustained damage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that targeting diplomatic missions constitutes a flagrant violation of international norms, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic premises and the protection of diplomatic staff. The ministry described the attack as a dangerous escalation and a threat to regional security and stability.
The UAE has called on both the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to investigate the attack, identify those responsible, and ensure they are held accountable. The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s firm rejection of all terrorist attacks aimed at undermining security and stability.
The UAE Ministry of Defence announced that air defence systems intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones launched from Iran on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
Since the start of what the ministry described as blatant Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have intercepted a cumulative total of 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 drones.
The attacks have resulted in six deaths among Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals, along with 141 minor to moderate injuries affecting individuals of 28 nationalities, including Emirati, Egyptian, Filipino, Indian, Iranian, Ethiopian and others.
The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared to counter any threats and will firmly confront any attempt to undermine the country’s security, sovereignty and stability.
Bahrain’s General Command of the Defence Force announced that its air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 124 ballistic missiles and 203 unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the kingdom since hostilities began, as successive waves of Iranian attacks continue. The announcement was carried by Bahrain News Agency.
The General Command reiterated that targeting civilian areas and private property with ballistic missiles and drones constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and represents a direct threat to regional peace and security.
Dubai Police has reminded the public to verify the source of any images or videos before sharing them online, warning that AI-generated content can appear convincingly real. The force emphasised that awareness is the first line of defence against the spread of misinformation.
The Israel Defense Forces announced that it identified Hezbollah terrorists moving rockets into a weapons depot in the Al-Majdal area of southern Lebanon, before carrying out an airstrike on the site within minutes, killing those inside.
The IDF stated it will continue to act against Hezbollah, which it said has chosen to join the current conflict under Iranian direction, and vowed to protect Israeli citizens, particularly residents in the country’s north.
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has clarified that temporary precautionary evacuation measures are limited solely to residents in specified areas who have received notifications through the national alert system.
Secure alternative locations have been provided for those affected, while others have moved to safe locations voluntarily, pending the end of the security threat.
Residents covered by the evacuation measures can call 40442999 for inquiries or assistance. The Ministry urged the public to rely only on official sources for information and to follow instructions issued by the competent authorities.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence announced that the Qatar Armed Forces have successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting the country, according to the Qatari News Agency.

UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has ordered the arrest of 10 defendants of various nationalities and referred them to urgent trial for publishing misleading and fabricated content on social media during the current period of regional tensions.
Investigations revealed that the accused shared a range of material, including real footage of air defence interceptions, clips of projectiles on the ground, and AI-generated videos falsely depicting explosions, strikes on landmarks, and large fires across UAE locations.
Some content exploited children’s emotions to imply security threats, while other footage falsely attributed foreign incidents to locations within the UAE.
The Attorney-General warned that sharing such content – whether real or fabricated – risks compromising public security, fuelling confusion, and providing hostile media with material that could be used to distort facts and expose aspects of the country’s defensive capabilities.
Under UAE law, those found guilty of deliberately spreading misinformation and undermining public security face a minimum of one year in prison and a fine of no less than AED100,000. The Public Prosecution has begun interrogating the defendants, who have been remanded in custody.
Dr. Al Shamsi stressed that authorities will continue actively monitoring digital platforms and will take immediate legal action against anyone found spreading content that threatens state security or disturbs public order.
Bahrain’s General Command of the Defence Force announced that its air defence systems have successfully countered successive waves of hostile Iranian aggression since hostilities began, intercepting and destroying 121 ballistic missiles and 193 drones targeting the kingdom. The announcement was carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
The General Command condemned the targeting of civilian areas and private property, stating that the use of ballistic missiles and drones against such targets constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and represents a direct threat to regional peace and security.
US media reports indicate that the American military is deploying additional forces to the Gulf, including an amphibious ready group (ARG) comprising up to 5,000 Marines and sailors.
The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli will join the existing US naval presence off the coast of Iran, though it remains unclear which other vessels will accompany it. An ARG typically includes ships capable of carrying landing craft and large numbers of helicopters.
The latest deployments suggest the Pentagon is weighing an expanded range of options, potentially including protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz or a limited amphibious landing.
One location drawing attention is Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil hub situated 22 miles off the Iranian mainland, where tankers have reportedly continued loading Iranian oil since hostilities began two weeks ago.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence announced that its air defence systems detected and intercepted a hostile ballistic missile within the past 24 hours.
Defence Ministry Spokesperson Colonel Saud Al-Atwan told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the missile posed no danger, caused no damage, and was dealt with outside the danger zone.
Dubai Media Office confirmed at 6:55am that an incident caused by debris from a successful interception, which struck the façade of a building in central Dubai, had been fully contained. No fire broke out and no injuries were reported.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced the successful interception and destruction of six drones over the Eastern Region.
Defence Ministry Spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki confirmed the development in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, though no further details were provided regarding the origin of the drones or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The United States Central Command has confirmed that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 refuelling aircraft died after the plane crashed in western Iraq.
CENTCOM stated that the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and that the aircraft went down over friendly airspace during an Operation Epic Fury mission.
The exact circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority announced that air traffic is gradually recovering to pre-crisis levels after the country successfully navigated a period of regional instability. Authorities implemented carefully coordinated safety and operational measures that kept flights running throughout the disruption.
Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri highlighted that passenger safety remained the top priority throughout, noting that over 1.4 million travellers passed through UAE airports between March 1–12, 2026, demonstrating the resilience of the country’s aviation infrastructure.
GCAA Director-General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi added that nearly 7,840 air traffic movements were recorded in UAE airspace during the same period. He noted that national carriers have recovered roughly 44.6% of their pre-crisis operational capacity and continue to scale up.
The GCAA thanked travellers for their cooperation and urged passengers to check with their airlines for the latest flight updates before heading to airports.
Day 6 – US-Israel conflict on Iran: Fresh strikes on Tehran, UAE flight status, latest updates
Day 5 – US‑Israel conflict on Iran: UAE affirms right to self‑defence, latest updates
Day 4 – US-Israel strikes on Iran: Latest updates – everything you need to know
Day 2 – Israel-US strikes Iran: Latest updates
Day 1 – Israel launches ‘pre-emptive attack’ on Iran as explosions hit central Tehran
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