Iran has stepped up its attacks on US diplomatic missions in the Gulf, with a drone strike reported near the US Consulate in Dubai late last night.

Dubai authorities confirmed that a fire resulting from the drone incident near the US Consulate was quickly contained. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately, and no injuries were reported.

The incident followed earlier attacks targeting US diplomatic missions in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia earlier this week. The US Embassy in Kuwait and the US Embassy in Riyadh were reportedly struck on Monday and Tuesday, further escalating tensions across the region.

A Reuters report said the Central Intelligence Agency's station at the US Embassy in Riyadh was hit in Monday's drone attack. There is no ​indication the station was the target, ​it said quoting a source.

Espionage network busted

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Qatar announced the arrest of two cells allegedly operating on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to a statement carried by Qatar News Agency (QNA), precision monitoring and tracking operations led to the arrest of 10 suspects.

Seven of those detained were allegedly engaged in espionage activities aimed at gathering intelligence on Qatar’s vital and military infrastructure. The remaining three were reportedly assigned to carry out sabotage operations and had received training in the use of drones.

Authorities said the suspects were found in possession of coordinates and locations of sensitive facilities and installations, as well as communication devices and other technological equipment. During questioning, the detainees allegedly confessed to links with the IRGC and admitted they had been tasked with conducting espionage and subversive missions.

Bahrain destroys 74 missiles

Separately, Bahrain announced that its air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed 74 missiles and 92 Iranian drones since Saturday.

In a statement carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA), the General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force said all defence systems remain fully operational and ready to counter any threats. It described the targeting of civilian facilities and private property with ballistic missiles and drones as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality.

The statement added that such indiscriminate hostile attacks pose a direct threat to regional peace and security. - TradeArabia News Service