The Gulf's reputation as a safe haven has been shattered as Iran launched missiles and drones at UAE and Saudi Arabia following US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. The attacks targeted military bases, US embassies, oil refineries, and civilian infrastructure across the region, killing at least several people and injuring hundreds.

Dubai's iconic skyline lit up with defensive fire as projectiles streaked across the night sky, a stark contrast to the city's image as a luxury tourism and business hub. In Saudi Arabia, Iranian drones struck the kingdom's largest oil refinery and the US embassy in Riyadh, while Qatar halted liquefied natural gas production after its energy facilities were targeted. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also been suspended.

The attacks have exposed the vulnerability of Gulf economies that have spent billions on diversification and foreign investment. With air defense systems working overtime and businesses canceling plans, the region faces an uncertain future. Whether the US achieves regime change or a ceasefire, Gulf states now confront a reality where their territory is no longer insulated from regional conflicts that have long plagued their neighbors.