Several Gulf nations have actively joined defensive operations against Iranian missile and drone attacks, intercepting aerial threats targeting cities and critical infrastructure, senior US military officials said Tuesday.

Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said regional partners have engaged Iranian projectiles aimed at civilian and strategic sites as the conflict expands.

“Our partners are answering the call to defend themselves right alongside us,” Caine said.

According to the Pentagon, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait have all intercepted Iranian aerial threats.

Jordanian air defence units shot down multiple one-way attack drones headed toward Amman. Bahrain intercepted a drone approaching maritime infrastructure near Manama, safeguarding shipping lanes in the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia deployed Patriot missile batteries to stop ballistic missiles targeting energy facilities near Dhahran, a key oil hub. The UAE neutralised several drones aimed at industrial zones in Abu Dhabi, officials said.

In a significant development, Caine said Qatari fighter jets shot down two Iranian bombers en route to their airspace — marking the first such engagement by Doha during the current conflict.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth described the regional response as a direct reaction to what he called Iran’s “belligerence” and willingness to target civilian airports, hotels and oil infrastructure.

“What you’re seeing right now is a response in the region,” Hegseth said, noting that Gulf states are providing varying levels of operational cooperation, including airspace access, basing rights and defensive support.

The Pentagon said the integrated air defence network — combining US systems with Gulf capabilities — has improved interception efficiency while conserving munitions.

“The air defence capabilities of those countries are significant, and when combined with ours, it simplifies the shot doctrine,” Hegseth said.

The United States launched Operation Epic Fury four days ago following intensified Iranian missile attacks and rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.

The conflict has since spread across air, sea and missile domains, with US forces striking Iranian missile launchers, naval assets and military facilities.

Officials said the growing Gulf involvement highlights the widening regional dimension of the conflict and the mounting threat Iranian attacks pose to energy infrastructure and critical shipping routes across the Middle East.