On February 28, 2026, Iran began firing missiles and drones across the Persian Gulf region in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Dubai seems like an odd target for Iran at first glance because the United Arab Emirates did not participate in those strikes and Iran has diplomatic and economic ties to the United Arab Emirates. However, the United Arab Emirates and Iran are not military allies and have substantially aided opposing sides in other conflicts, like the Yemeni Civil War. Importantly, the United Arab Emirates enjoys security ties with the United States and hosts U.S. forces near Iran. Iran hopes that it can exact costs on strategic U.S. allies in the region, weaken their resolve to support the United States in attacking Iran, and push them toward mediating a deescalation.
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