Fact check: 5 airports in 4 Arab countries affected by Iranian strikes
Our team verified reports of airport disruptions, flight cancellations, and missile damage across the Gulf following Iranian retaliatory strikes.
World — March 2, 2026
Our verification team has confirmed that airports in at least four Arab countries have been affected—to varying degrees—by Iranian missile strikes and the broader regional crisis, though claims about the extent of damage vary widely.
Confirmed: Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai briefly suspended operations after a Qaher-313 missile was intercepted nearby. No structural damage to the airport itself was confirmed.
Confirmed: Doha's Hamad International Airport suspended departures for approximately 90 minutes following the attack on Al Udeid Air Base. Operations later resumed normally.
Confirmed: Bahrain International Airport canceled roughly 30% of flights on Monday due to the military alert status following strikes on Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
Unverified: Claims circulating on social media that Kuwait International Airport sustained direct damage are FALSE. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed no missile strikes reached the airport.
Unverified: A viral video purportedly showing fires at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport has been traced to archival footage of a 2022 drone incident and does not depict current events.
The International Air Transport Association said it was monitoring the situation closely and had issued a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) advisory for the entire Gulf region.
