Facing deadly Iranian drone attacks across the Middle East, the US military has been rushing defensive systems into the region while adjusting to a threat that has come to dominates modern battlefields and carries echoes of a weapon that haunted service members during the 20 years of the war on terror.

Saudi Arabia’s forces have intercepted 98 drones in the last 24 hours, the largest single-day wave of attacks since the U.S.-led war on Iran began. Most of the attacks were concentrated in the eastern region where the majority of the kingdom’s oil is produced,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia provided Iran Shahed drones that were later used on U.S. bases. “First of all, Russia gave drones already, these Shaheds. They are using Iranian licenses.

The Iran war is testing America's ability to combat swarms of cheap drones that have become a staple of the modern battlefield after Ukraine and Russia demonstrated how effective they can be.

Missiles and drones struck US embassies, bases and hotels in Iraq as Iran targeted American military personnel and civilians in the region.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz could take months and require underwater robots, laser-equipped helicopters, and elite Navy divers, according to experts and a newly updated congressional report. The threat of Iranian drones and mines have brought shipping through the vital chokepoint to a halt — cutting off 27% of the world’s maritime oil and gas.

Oil giant Saudi Aramco is in talks with at least two Ukrainian companies to buy [interceptor drones](

The UAE closed its airspace temporarily after Iran launched missiles and drones that were intercepted by air defence systems in the country during heightened tensions in the Middle East.