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Baghdad’s Green Zone, UAE Oil Field Among Mideast Sites Hit by Iranian Drones

HeadlineMar 17, 2026

Iran continues to fire on Middle East countries that host U.S. military bases. Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted nearly 100 Iranian drones in 24 hours — the largest single-day wave of attacks yet by Iran. In the United Arab Emirates, an Iranian drone triggered a huge fire at a key oil trading hub, coming just days after a similar attack triggered another fire at the site. In Iraq, an Iranian drone damaged the top floor of the Al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Monday, amid reports that Iraqi air defenses shot down an Iranian missile targeting the U.S. Embassy. Meanwhile, Kuwait and Qatar reported more Iranian drone and missile attacks.

According to Goldman Sachs, if the war lasts until the end of April, the gross domestic products of Gulf states could plummet by up to 14% this year.

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