Iran is increasingly turning to drones rather than missiles to attack Gulf countries as the war in the Middle East drags on.
Data from the defense ministries of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain show that the vast majority of projectiles fired at these countries in recent days have been from drones, most often of the Iranian-made Shahed type.
The number of cruise and ballistic missile launches has fallen dramatically — from hundreds at the start of the war to just three against the UAE on March 4. Air defenses throughout the region intercepted most threats.
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The United Arab Emirates, a key US ally, has intercepted more Iranian projectiles than its neighbors — Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
In general, drones carry smaller explosive payloads than missiles and tend to cause less destruction, although they can still cause significant damage depending on the target. Their lower cost and the fact that they can be easily launched in large numbers make them a persistent challenge for air defense systems.
Continued reliance on drones may reflect several factors. The United States and Israel have been attacking missile stockpiles and launch sites since they began their offensive against Iran on February 28, which may have limited Tehran’s ability to carry out sustained bombings. The Islamic Republic may also be sparing more advanced weapons while maintaining pressure on American interests in the region.
Drones create an economic imbalance in air defense: they are much cheaper than the interceptors used to shoot them down. Iran has extensive drone production capacity and, according to widespread assessments, continues to manufacture them even during war.
Data from the Bahraini government also illustrates the Iranian tactical shift. The kingdom has said its air defenses have intercepted more drones than missiles, with waves of attacks increasingly dominated by unmanned aircraft in recent days.
© 2026 Bloomberg L.P.
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