The first week of March 2026 will go down as one of the most dramatic periods in the Gulf region’s modern history.
What began with the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, by US and Israeli forces at 08:10 Iranian time on Saturday, 28 February, quickly escalated into a regional crisis.
Within hours, Iran began launching hundreds of missiles and drones toward several GCC countries.
Over the course of the past week, residents across the Gulf have witnessed events that few imagined experiencing firsthand.
The sound of explosions in the sky initially sparked understandable concern. Yet authorities from the UAE to Qatar moved quickly to reassure the public, explaining that these interceptions reflected the effectiveness of the region’s defence systems working to protect citizens and residents.
At the same time, something else became visible: the human response. From frontline workers to neighbours checking in on each other, the solidarity among citizens and expatriates alike demonstrated that cities like Dubai are not just global hubs of commerce, but communities with a real sense of shared resilience.
Throughout the crisis, calm leadership has prevailed. GCC leaders have consistently emphasised restraint while keeping the door open for diplomacy.
Now a potentially important moment has arrived
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, announced today that the country’s temporary leadership council has approved the suspension of attacks against neighbouring countries, unless Iran itself comes under attack from them.
Read more: Iran says it will suspend strikes on GCC neighbours
Naturally, many observers will remain cautious before concluding that the escalation has fully subsided. The situation remains fluid and developments could change quickly. Already, reports indicate that Qatar was still being subjected to attacks, despite this announcement.
But for now, it marks a moment in what has been an extraordinary week
- Gareth van Zyl is Group Editor of Gulf Business
