Iranian drones cost a fraction of air defences. How long can Gulf states last?

Iran is striking targets across the Middle East, including Israel, US bases, and Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, in retaliation for attacks on its leadership. A key element of Iran's approach is a strategy of financial attrition, using inexpensive drones and missiles to force costly defensive interceptions. Analysts estimate that for every dollar Iran spends on a drone, the UAE spends roughly $20 to $28 to shoot it down. This economic asymmetry is designed to deplete the financial resources and defense capabilities of its adversaries over time, even if most attacks are successfully intercepted.