Iran Launches Missile and Drone Strikes on Gulf States, Blockades Strait of Hormuz — Saudi Arabia Spared

Iran has announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and launched missiles and drones at multiple Gulf states in retaliation for U.S. military strikes against Iranian territory.

Air Raid Sirens and Explosions Across the Gulf

Air raid sirens sounded and explosions were reported across Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Oman — with Saudi Arabia notably absent from the list of targets.

The U.S. Pentagon stated that American forces struck targets inside Iran after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opened fire on a Cyprus-registered container vessel. Tehran claimed the ship had transited the Strait of Hormuz without authorization. Iranian state media subsequently reported that the IRGC also attacked a second vessel, accusing it of violating maritime regulations.

Bahrain activated air raid sirens; the UAE and Qatar reported successfully intercepting incoming missiles. Three people were injured in Doha, Qatar's capital. Kuwait said it was intercepting an attack, while Jordan reported that three Iranian missiles landed on its territory.

IRGC Claims Strike on Duqm Port, Announces Strait of Hormuz Closure

The IRGC claimed it had struck U.S. aircraft carrier logistics and refueling facilities at Oman's Port of Duqm. Iran's state news agency IRNA quoted the IRGC as saying it had intercepted a vessel that ignored repeated orders and refused to follow an approved navigation route.

"In light of this incident… the Strait of Hormuz will be closed with immediate effect until further notice, and until the United States ceases its interference in the region," the IRGC said in a statement.

11 Indian Nationals Aboard Attacked Vessel; One Missing

India confirmed that 11 of its citizens were aboard the attacked vessel, located east of Oman.

"Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued. One Indian national remains unaccounted for," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry identified the commercial vessel as GFS Galaxy, which came under attack on Sunday morning off the Omani coast. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. India's foreign ministry described attacks on commercial shipping in the region as "deeply concerning" and called for an "immediate cessation of attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure," urging the "restoration of free and unimpeded navigation in international waterways in the region in accordance with international law."

Control of the Strait of Hormuz at the Heart of the Conflict

The fighting threatens a fragile ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the war that erupted following a joint U.S.-Israeli strike in late February. Control of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a central point of contention. Iran closed the waterway to commercial shipping during the conflict. The strait carries a significant share of global oil and gas exports, and its blockade has sent shockwaves through the global economy.

Iran has insisted on imposing passage controls and levying tolls on vessels transiting the strait — a position the United States has rejected. Under customary international law, states are generally prohibited from charging tolls for passage through straits used for international navigation.

Iran's Supreme Leader Vows Revenge, Releases Target List

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed revenge for the death of his father and predecessor.

"Vengeance is the will of our nation and it will be carried out," he said in his first public message following his father's funeral. "This does not depend on my presence or that of other officials. It will happen whether or not we are here."

Khamenei added that Iran had drawn up a list of targeted individuals. He had not appeared publicly since before the outbreak of the war and is reported to have been seriously wounded in the strike that killed his father.

Saudi Arabia Spared Under Pakistan's Nuclear Umbrella

Notably, Saudi Arabia was not targeted in Iran's missile and drone strikes. Riyadh and Islamabad maintain close defence ties and recently signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA). Pakistan has been actively mediating efforts to broker U.S.-Iran peace negotiations.

Prior to the latest escalation, Pakistan deployed fighter jets and support aircraft to Saudi Arabia under the defence pact to bolster the kingdom's security. As previously reported by The Eurasian Times, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, said Pakistan had warned Iran about its mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia in order to deter any Iranian attack on Saudi territory.

"I informed the Iranian side about our defence agreement," Dar said. "The Iranian side said Saudi Arabia should ensure its territory is not used against Iran."

Although the agreement does not explicitly address nuclear cooperation, Pakistan has publicly committed to extending nuclear deterrence, effectively placing Saudi Arabia under its nuclear umbrella.

Despite being spared from Iranian strikes, Saudi Arabia condemned Iran's broader attacks on the region. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Iran for "repeatedly attacking commercial vessels in violation of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, the OIC Charter, and good-neighbourliness norms, threatening the safety and freedom of navigation."

Partial source: Agence France-Presse (AFP)

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