Iran’s Missile Strikes Raise Questions About Civilian Impact

Iran says its missile and drone campaign in the Middle East is aimed at U.S. military bases and installations.

However, reports from governments, media outlets and international observers suggest that some strikes have also hit civilian areas and economic infrastructure across the Gulf.

Since the conflict escalated in late February 2026, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward several countries in the region. According to The New York Times, at least a dozen civilians have been killed in Gulf states, including many foreign workers employed in service jobs.

Authorities in Bahrain said an Iranian drone strike damaged a water desalination facility and later hit a residential building in the capital, Manama, killing a 29-year-old woman and injuring several others.

Other reported incidents have affected Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

According to Bloomberg, migrant workers make up more than 40% of the Middle East’s labor force, meaning many civilians remain outside during attacks while working in sectors such as construction, sanitation and service industries.

Legal experts note that under international humanitarian law, civilian infrastructure and noncombatants are protected during armed conflict.

They say that even when states claim to target military sites, the impact on civilian areas remains a key factor in assessing responsibility during wartime.