DOHA: Qatar and Ukraine signed a defence cooperation agreement on Saturday including cooperation on countering threats from missiles and drones, the Gulf state’s defence ministry said while Iran pressed an aerial campaign against its Gulf neighbours.
The agreement was signed during a visit to Doha by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Qatar’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.
“The agreement includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint investments and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems,” the ministry said.
نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء ووزير الدولة لشؤون الدفاع يلتقي أمين مجلس الأمن القومي والدفاع الأوكراني ورئيس أركان القوات المسلحة الأوكرانية pic.twitter.com/sILAyYp0bf
— وزارة الدفاع – دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 28, 2026
Zelenskyy’s visit to Qatar followed a trip to the United Arab Emirates, where he said his team was finalising details of a security agreement with Emirati officials.
As Zelenskyy toured the Gulf, Iran said it had struck a Ukrainian anti-drone system in Dubai, a claim Kyiv swiftly rejected.
In a statement aired on state television, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters said it had targeted a Ukrainian anti-drone system depot in the UAE.
“As the hideouts of American commanders and soldiers in Dubai were targeted… a Ukrainian anti-drone system depot that was located in Dubai to assist the US military… was targeted and destroyed,” the statement said.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry denied the claim. “This is a lie. We officially refute this information,” ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi told reporters, accusing Iran of conducting “disinformation campaigns”.
The claim came as Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the UAE had agreed to deepen defence cooperation during his unannounced visit.
I met with the President of the UAE, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan @MohamedBinZayed.
The President thanked our team for its work here in the Emirates. For Ukraine, this is also a matter of principle: terror must not prevail anywhere in the world. Protection must be sufficient… pic.twitter.com/qSsOU1OTUq
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 28, 2026
The widening conflict has begun to disrupt key infrastructure across the region.
Danish shipping company Maersk said operations at Oman’s port of Salalah were suspended for 48 hours following a drone strike.
The company said the port was “immediately” evacuated after the attack. Omani authorities reported that one worker was injured and damage was limited.
Iranian officials said the strike targeted a US military support vessel “at a considerable distance from the port”, while stressing respect for Oman’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Iraqi aviation authorities announced that the country’s airspace would remain closed until 0900 GMT on March 31 due to ongoing security concerns.
The closure affects all arriving, departing and overflying aircraft, officials said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Tehran would respond forcefully to any attacks on its infrastructure or economy.
He also warned regional countries against allowing adversaries to use their territory.
“If you want development and security, don’t let our enemies run the war from your lands,” he said.
We have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted.
To the countries of the region:
If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 28, 2026
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was seeking to expand defence cooperation with Gulf states, citing its experience in countering sustained aerial attacks.
“We are open to joint work, which in the strategic perspective will strengthen our peoples and protect life,” he said.
Zelenskyy also said discussions in the UAE covered regional security, Iranian attacks and the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz on global energy markets.
