Iran's 2026 Gulf Campaign: A Comprehensive Timeline of Missile Attacks, UAE Defense, and the Strait of Hormuz Crisis

• 537 ballistic missiles
• 2,256 drones
• These figures cover all Iranian projectiles fired at the UAE since late February .

These numbers do not include interceptions by other Gulf states or projectiles that were intercepted after 9 April. The pace of attacks remained high through March and April, with daily salvos reported across the Gulf . The UAE deployed U.S.-made THAAD and Patriot missile defense systems to achieve these interceptions .

The Kharg Island Attack and the Accusation-Denial Cycle

A pivotal moment in the conflict occurred on 13 March 2026, when the U.S. Air Force conducted a large bombing raid on Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub. The strikes hit more than 90 Iranian military sites while deliberately avoiding oil and gas infrastructure .

The next day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi alleged that the U.S. strikes were launched from UAE territory. He claimed U.S. forces used truck-mounted M142 HIMARS missile systems stationed at "ports, docks and hideouts" in the Emirates, specifically naming Ras Al Khaimah and a location near Dubai .

The UAE flatly rejected the accusation. Presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash called the claim "baseless and misdirected," stating that Iran's "confused policy" and "forsaken wisdom" had "condemned its own country, entrenched its isolation, and exposed its aggression" . The UAE asserted its right to self-defense and said it had not authorized any strikes from its soil . The U.S. military declined to comment on the allegation .

Iran followed the accusation with an unprecedented evacuation warning for three major UAE ports — including Jebel Ali, the busiest in the Middle East — marking the first time Tehran openly threatened a neighbor's non-U.S. assets . Iran also warned the UAE against allowing any future attacks from its territory targeting Iranian-controlled islands (Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunb) .

Phases of the Attack Campaign

Phase 1 (Late February – March): Immediate Retaliation

Daily missile and drone barrages across the Gulf. Iran threatened to "widen the war" and called for port evacuations in the UAE . Debris from interceptions caused fires at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone .

Phase 2 (May 4–5): A Renewed Wave

The UAE intercepted 15 missiles and 4 drones fired from Iran in a single engagement. Three people were injured. Inbound flights were disrupted . Iran denied targeting the UAE but warned of a "decisive response" if any future strikes originated from UAE soil .

Phase 3 (July 12–13): Escalation After U.S. Strikes

After a fresh round of U.S. strikes on Iran, Tehran again targeted Gulf states including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain . The U.S. announced a naval blockade of Iran's entire coastline on 13 July, covering all ports, oil terminals, and vessels regardless of flag . Over 1,500 flights were impacted by this wave alone .

Phase 4 (August 8 – Ongoing): Targeting Shipping

The UAE accused Iran of striking an ADNOC tanker with a missile as it crossed the Strait of Hormuz, drawing swift condemnation from Gulf and Arab governments . As of 12 August 2026, talks to end the war remained at an impasse, and attacks on shipping continued .

Disruption to Civilian Aviation

The conflict caused one of the most severe shocks to global aviation in recent history:

• Feb 28 – March 1: Major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai (the world's busiest international hub), Abu Dhabi, and Doha, were shut. Emirates suspended all operations. Thousands of flights were cancelled .
• March 6: Emirati airlines resumed limited flights, but an Air France repatriation flight was forced to turn back by missile fire, and a Lufthansa jet diverted over safety fears .
• March 12: Drone strikes caused material damage at Kuwait International Airport .
• March 16: A drone attack caused a fuel tank fire near Dubai International Airport, forcing temporary closure and diversions to Dubai's Maktoum Airport .
• May 4: Drone and missile attacks disrupted inbound UAE flights again .
• July 12: A fresh wave of Iranian strikes impacted over 1,500 flights across the Gulf .
• Ongoing: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) extended its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin advising airlines to avoid certain Middle Eastern airspace until at least August 31, 2026 .

The Strait of Hormuz Crisis and Oil Market Shock

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil supplies, became a central feature of the crisis .

• On March 4, 2026, Iranian forces declared the Strait "closed" and began attacking or threatening ships attempting to transit . Cross-Strait traffic dropped precipitously .
• Brent crude jumped 8% from $71.32/barrel on February 27 to $77.24 on February 28 .
• By July 14, Brent was at $84.95 amid renewed U.S.-Iran attacks .
• By July 23, Brent settled above $100/barrel for the first time since May, driven by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea compounding supply fears .
• As of August 12, 2026, Brent traded at $89.26/barrel, heading for a sixth day of gains, as attacks on ships reinforced supply worries and peace talks hit an impasse .

The Congressional Research Service described the crisis as causing a "precipitous drop" in Hormuz traffic with severe impacts on global oil, petroleum product, and natural gas prices .

Diplomatic Status

Multiple rounds of U.S.-Iran talks have failed to produce a ceasefire. The conflict remains active as of mid-August 2026, with no resolution in sight . Iran has continued to view Gulf states as legitimate targets due to their perceived cooperation with U.S. military operations, while the UAE and other Gulf governments insist on their right to self-defense and deny facilitating strikes on Iran .