--- title: Iran Retaliates Across Region amid Unclear Leadership Situation description: Iran retaliates with missile and drone strikes across GCC states as U.S.-Israel operations escalate and regional airspace disruptions intensify. image: https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/GG_Intel_Report_%E2%80%93_MiddleEast_GG_Feature_copy_7.png --- [+1 (703) 566-9463](tel:+17035669463) | [Emergency Support](https://www.globalguardian.com//emergency-support) [![GG Logo Main White](https://www.globalguardian.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GlobalGuardian_Oct2019/Logos/GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png?width=208&height=45&name=GG%20Logo%20Main%20White.png "GG Logo Main White")](https://globalguardian.com) - [Corporate ](https://www.globalguardian.com/corporate-solutions) - [Personal ](https://www.globalguardian.com/personal-solutions) - [Government](https://www.globalguardian.com/government-solutions) - [Outcomes](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies) - [ Travel Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Traveler%20Security) - [ Executive Protection ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Executive%20Protection%20and%20Transportation) - [ Emergency Response ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Emergency%20Response) - [ Medical Assistance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Medical%20Assistance) - [ Event Security ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Event%20Security) - [ Video Surveillance ](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies?topic=Asset%20Security) - Learn - [ Global Digest ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-digest) - [ Newsroom ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom) - [ Webinars ](https://www.globalguardian.com/media-room#t4) - [ Global Guardian Academy ](https://academy.globalguardian.com/) - [ FAQ ](https://www.globalguardian.com/faq) - Company - [ About Global Guardian ](https://www.globalguardian.com/about-global-guardian) - [ Executive Leadership ](https://www.globalguardian.com/executive-leadership) - [ Menu of Services ](https://www.globalguardian.com/service-menu) - [ Global Coverage ](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-coverage) - [ Contact Us ](https://www.globalguardian.com/contact) - [ Careers ](https://www.globalguardian.com/careers) [![Request Security](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2233164/aecafd49-7abe-4a80-95c2-e37dbbacda44) # Iran Retaliates Across Region amid Unclear Leadership Situation February 28, 2026 | [Security Alerts](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/topic/security-alerts) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-retaliates-across-region-amid-unclear-leadership-situation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-retaliates-across-region-amid-unclear-leadership-situation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-retaliates-across-region-amid-unclear-leadership-situation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-retaliates-across-region-amid-unclear-leadership-situation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Iran%20Retaliates%20Across%20Region%20amid%20Unclear%20Leadership%20Situation) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-retaliates-across-region-amid-unclear-leadership-situation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-retaliates-across-region-amid-unclear-leadership-situation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalguardian.com%2Fnewsroom%2Firan-retaliates-across-region-amid-unclear-leadership-situation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)  Following the launch of **Operation Epic Fury** by the U.S. and **Operation Lion's Roar **by Israel, Iran retaliated across the region by launching medium and short-range **ballistic missiles **and **Shahed drones **at U.S. bases in **Qatar**, **Kuwait**, the **United Arab Emirates (UAE)**, and **Bahrain**. Most projectiles were intercepted. There were multiple instances of **falling debris **from intercepted missiles striking buildings, landing on people, and **catching buildings on fire**. In **Bahrain**, a high-rise building was **struck **by a **Shahed **drone, possibly by accident or due to signal jamming. A similar incident happened in **Dubai **when the parking/entrance area of the **Palm Hotel **was hit by a Shahed drone, leading to multiple injuries but no fatalities. These types of attacks will continue across the Gulf Cooperation Council (**GCC**) states.   President Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran's Supreme Leader, **Ayatollah Ali Khamenei**, was **killed **during earlier strikes. This has not been confirmed by Iran, but there has been no visual or audio evidence produced by Iran that he is still alive. Additional reports suggest members of his family were also killed. It is likely that **Ali Larijani**, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, is now in charge.   ## ONGOING RECOMMENDATIONS - **Abide by local guidance regarding shelter-in-place orders in Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.** - **If in Israel, remain near bomb shelters and take immediate action at the sound of sirens.** - **Be prepared for ongoing major airspace disruptions.** ## TACTICAL UPDATE - Israel claims to have carried out hundreds of strikes on hundreds of targets across Iran. Unconfirmed reports suggest Iran's **Minister of Defense **and **IRGC Commander **were both **killed today **during the initial wave of strikes. - Israel has said the campaign could last a **week **while U.S. officials say it could last **several days**. - Iranian missiles and drones have primarily targeted: - **Israel **continues to be **targeted by Iran **as air raid sirens have been heard in **Tel-Aviv**, **Haifa**, and the **northern **parts of the country. - **Kuwait's International Airport **was hit by a Shahed drone, causing significant damage to a passenger terminal** **and minor injuries to a number of employees. - **Dubai's International Airport **suffered a missile strike around 0130 am local time, leading to evacuations of the airport. ## SITUATION REPORT - **Airspace remains closed **across most of the region, along with** significant ongoing flight cancellations. Lebanese and Omani airspace remains open **for the time being. - The land border crossing between the **UAE **and **Oman** **remains open** but subject to increased security, delays, and potential closure at any moment. - Iran has **shutdown **internet access, and reporting out of the country remains sparse. ## ANALYSIS - Iran's primary goal at this point is to create **domestic **and **international pressure **against Israel and the U.S., forcing them to back off. Iran will attempt this through a **selective escalation campaign **that won't be limited to drones and ballistic missiles, but may include **cyberattacks**, proxy group actions, and **terrorist attacks abroad**. These are most likely to manifest in attacks on **soft targets **in **Latin America**, **Europe**, and **Africa**. - Continued targeting of U.S. bases and now **civilian **areas within the **GCC** states will anger and frustrate these allies of the U.S. In doing so, Iran hopes to get the GCC to **pressure **the U.S. to provide an offramp to Iran or offer a ceasefire. - Iran is being much more **measured **with its use of ballistic missiles and drones after lessons learned during the June 2025 conflict where they sent hundreds of projectiles at Israel over just a few waves with limited success. - Iran can also exert pressure on **energy markets **and therefore the global economy by clamping down on the **Strait of Hormuz**. The **IRGC Navy **has effectively closed the Straits by telling ships it is not safe to pass through; however, while many tankers have turned away, some have still transited. - Iran retains multiple **calibrated escalation **tools across military, proxy, maritime, cyber, and covert domains. The crisis is best understood as an **unfolding, dynamic campaign **rather than a single retaliatory exchange. ## RECOMMENDATIONS - **Abide by local guidance regarding shelter-in-place orders.** - **If in Israel, remain near bomb shelters and take immediate action at the sound of sirens.** - **Be prepared for ongoing major airspace disruptions.** ## STANDING BY TO Support Global Guardian is closely monitoring the situation and can support clients who need assistance with the following: - Evacuation planning and execution - Executive protection - Secure transportation - Emergency response - Intelligence reports - Risk assessments Click below to contact Global Guardian's 24/7 Operations Center or call us directly at +1 (703) 566-9463. [![Request Security](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2233164/71797a38-0e6b-40f6-a22c-490cf3752bd2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2233164/71797a38-0e6b-40f6-a22c-490cf3752bd2) [** Previous Post](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/abc-news-02-28-2026) [Next Post **](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/u.s.-israel-launch-military-campaign-against-iran) ## Check Out Our Latest Updates [ ### Global Guardian's Zev Faintuch Featured in Newsweek TRUMP WARNS OF ‘MASSIVE ATTACK’ ON IRAN AMID QUESTIONS OVER ENDGAME Global Guardian Head of Research and Intelligence Zev Faintuch contributed analysis to Newsweek as... ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/newsweek-july-24-2026) [ ### Major U.S. Attack on Iran Appears Imminent The situation in the Middle East continues to escalate vertically, horizontally, and rhetorically with increasing signs that the United States (U.S.) is poised to launch a... ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/major-u.s.-attack-on-iran-appears-imminent) [ ### Conflict with Iran Escalating after Deaths of U.S. Service Members The U.S. military has now struck Iran for 10 straight days, targeting military installations threatening tanker ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and other sites in Bandar... ](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom/conflict-with-iran-escalating-after-deaths-of-u.s.-service-members) ### Subscribe Here Sign up today to receive monthly articles curated by the Global Guardian team on relevant and important safety and security topics. ![ul listed](https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/ul-listed.png "ul listed") ![GG_CertificationFooter_Black-01](https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/GG_CertificationFooter_Black-01.webp "GG_CertificationFooter_Black-01") ![ndaa compliant](https://www.globalguardian.com/hubfs/ndaa2.png "ndaa compliant") ##### Solutions [Corporate Solutions](https://www.globalguardian.com/corporate-solutions) [Personal Solutions](https://www.globalguardian.com/personal-solutions) [Government Solutions](https://www.globalguardian.com/government-solutions) ##### Services [Traveler Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#1) [Asset Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#2) [Cyber Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#3) [Customized Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/#4) ##### Learn [Global Digest](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-digest) [Newsroom](https://www.globalguardian.com/newsroom) [Case Studies](https://www.globalguardian.com/case-studies) [FAQ](https://www.globalguardian.com/faq) [COVID-19](https://www.globalguardian.com/covid-19-newsroom) ##### Company [About Global Guardian](https://www.globalguardian.com/about-global-guardian) [Executive Leadership](https://www.globalguardian.com/executive-leadership) [Global Coverage](https://www.globalguardian.com/global-coverage) [Careers](https://www.globalguardian.com/careers) [Licensing](https://www.globalguardian.com/licensing) ##### Talk to Us [+1 (703) 566-9463](tel:+17035669463) [Contact Us](https://www.globalguardian.com/contact) [Request Security](https://www.globalguardian.com/request-security-services) [Emergency Support](https://www.globalguardian.com/emergency-support) [Travel Agents & Affiliates](https://www.globalguardian.com/air-ambulance/travel-agents-affiliates) Stay Connected ### STAY CONNECTED Join Our Community [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-guardian-llc/) © Copyright 2026 Global Guardian. All Rights Reserved. | [Privacy Policy](https://www.globalguardian.com/privacy-policy) [|](https://www.globalguardian.com/privacy-policy) [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://www.globalguardian.com/privacy-rights-request-form) | [Privacy Rights Request Form](https://www.globalguardian.com/privacy-rights-request-form) [|](https://www.globalguardian.com/privacy-policy)[XML Sitemap ](https://www.globalguardian.com/sitemap.xml)[| ](https://www.globalguardian.com/privacy-policy)[HTML Sitemap](https://www.globalguardian.com/html-sitemap) Global Guardian needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our [Privacy Policy.](https://globalguardian-2233164.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=986625&fmt=gif)