Missile strikes reported across Gulf region
Iran continued launching missiles toward several Gulf countries, with Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reporting new attacks. Bahrain accused Iran of indiscriminately targeting civilian sites and said one of its desalination plants was damaged. Authorities stated, however, that water and electricity supplies remained operational.
Desalination facilities are critical infrastructure in the region, supplying water to millions of residents and to large numbers of travellers stranded during the conflict. The damage has raised concerns about potential humanitarian risks in the arid Gulf states.
Bahrain, which hosts the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet, also reported damage to hotels, ports and residential towers. At least one person was killed.
Iran cites earlier strike on desalination facility
The incident followed Iranian claims that a US airstrike had damaged a desalination plant on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the attack had disrupted the water supply to around 30 villages. He argued that “the US set this precedent, not Iran.” Responding to the claim, US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said that “US forces do not target civilians – period.
“Water supply in 30 villages has been impacted.”
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 7, 2026
BREAKING: Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi says on X that the US committed a “blatant and desperate crime” by attacking a desalination plant, located on Qeshm Island.
🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/ztbAKE2RU3 pic.twitter.com/F1J8FNUTyf
Israeli strikes target Iranian oil infrastructure
Iranian authorities also reported that Israeli strikes overnight hit four oil storage tanks and a petroleum transfer terminal, killing four people. Witnesses in Tehran said smoke from the attacks was so thick that daylight was barely visible.
Israel’s military said the targeted oil depots were being used by Iran’s armed forces to supply fuel for missile launches. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said around 10,000 civilian structures across the country had been damaged, including homes, schools and nearly three dozen health facilities.
The organisation also warned residents of Tehran to take precautions against toxic air pollution and the risk of acid rain following the strikes.
Oil sector concerns and Strait of Hormuz risks
Speaker of Iran’s parliament Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said the conflict could severely affect the country’s oil industry, warning that production and exports may become increasingly difficult. Some regional producers, including in Iraq, have already reduced output due to security risks around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Iranian authorities, however, said the country still has sufficient fuel reserves.
Saudi Arabia reports first deaths
Saudi Arabia reported its first fatalities since the war began. The Kingdom’s Civil Defense said a military projectile that fell into a residential area killed two foreign residents and injured 12 others in Al-Kharj governorate. Authorities said the two people killed were nationals of India and Bangladesh, while those injured were all Bangladeshi residents.
US-UK military cooperation discussed
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks with US President Donald Trump regarding military cooperation in the Middle East. Trump had previously criticised Starmer after the UK initially refused to allow US forces to use British bases for attacks on Iran.
Following Iran’s strikes across the region, the UK government has now authorised the use of its bases for “defensive” operations targeting Iranian missile sites. According to Downing Street, the two leaders discussed cooperation between US and British forces in support of the collective self-defence of regional partners. Starmer also expressed condolences for the deaths of six US soldiers killed in a drone attack earlier in the conflict.
Israel claims strike on IRGC “space force” headquarters
The Israeli military said it struck the headquarters of what it described as the “space force” of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Tehran.
According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), the facility served as a centre for reception, transmission and research linked to the Iranian Space Agency, which it said is affiliated with Iran’s military.
With Information from Euronews