Iran’s strikes across the Gulf unlawful, endanger civilians: Human Rights Watch

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Iran’s “unlawful” strikes across the Gulf are endangering civilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.

Since the US-Israeli attacks began on 28 February, Iran has launched hundreds of drones and missiles against what it says are US military sites and infrastructure in GCC countries.

However, “many of the Iranian attacks have struck civilian residential buildings, hotels, civilian airports, and embassies, and have unlawfully targeted civilian objects such as financial centres,” HRW said.

As of Monday, these attacks had caused at least 11 civilian deaths and 268 injuries with migrant workers making up the majority of the victims, HRW said, citing GCC government sources.

On 8 March, Iran’s president issued an apology for the attacks on Gulf states. However, such strikes have continued.

“Civilians, particularly migrant workers, across Gulf states are being threatened, killed and injured by Iranian drones and missiles,” said Joey Shea, senior Saudi Arabia and UAE researcher at HRW. The US-Israeli attacks across Iran have killed at least 1,444 people and injured more than 18,500.