Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia Hit as Iran Attacks Gulf Under New Leader

In one of the most sweeping regional attacks since the conflict began, Iran struck five Gulf states simultaneously on Sunday — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — in a coordinated assault that killed two civilians and damaged critical infrastructure. The attacks took place as Iran’s Assembly of Experts was confirming Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, sending a dual message of political continuity and military resolve.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was selected through what the clerical body described as a decisive vote. He is a conservative cleric with no electoral track record, known primarily for his behind-the-scenes influence and his relationships with IRGC commanders. His appointment is the first instance of father-to-son succession in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Saudi Arabia bore the brunt of the assault. Air defenses intercepted 15 drones, and a residential area in Al-Kharj was struck by a projectile, killing two people and injuring twelve. Bahrain reported material damage to a desalination plant following separate attacks. The UAE and Kuwait also reported incidents. The IRGC issued a warning that if Israeli strikes on Iranian energy sites continued, oil could exceed $200 a barrel.
Iran’s core institutions presented a unified face domestically. The IRGC, armed forces command, parliament, and top security officials all issued statements of loyalty to Mojtaba within hours of his appointment. The Houthi rebels of Yemen celebrated enthusiastically. Iran’s state media showed missiles bearing messages of devotion to the new leader, reinforcing the message that the military and the new supreme leadership were aligned.
The scale and simultaneity of Sunday’s Gulf attacks suggests Iran is attempting to project regional power even as it faces existential military pressure from Israel and the United States. Whether this is strategic calculation — using aggression to signal strength — or a sign of desperation depends on the lens through which one views the Islamic Republic’s situation. Either way, the region is now deeper into conflict than at any point in recent memory.