Iranian drones cost less than $50,000 to build and launch. Yet they are taking down multi-billion-dollar fixed assets all across the Persian Gulf.

Just a few examples: Bahrain’s sole oil refinery, previously running over 400,000 bpd; the largest Mideast refinery, in the UAE, with capacity of over 900,000 bpd; the world’s busiest international airport; the American embassy and consulate in Iraq.

Warfighters in Washington and Tel Aviv insist that the war against Iran, measured conventionally, is already over. Iran’s navy, air defenses, and air force have been decimated.

But low-cost drones and missiles can be deployed from anywhere, and launched at anything. High-value fixed assets are vulnerable, and for the first time in history the cost of defense is orders of magnitude greater than for attacking forces.

Closing scene, Hunan

Resources and links:

UAE suspends foreign airline operations from Dubai airports https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/164878-uae-suspends-foreign-airline-operations-from-dubai-airports

MAPPED: 65 planes were diverted as a drone strike caused flight chaos at Dubai Airport once again https://africa.businessinsider.com/transportation/mapped-65-planes-were-diverted-as-a-drone-strike-caused-flight-chaos-at-dubai-airport/mf8gjbr

Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq – March 17, 2026 https://iq.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-baghdad-iraq-march-17-2026/

UAE oil giant ADNOC shuts Ruwais refinery after drone strike, source says https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/fire-hits-site-housing-abu-dhabi-national-oil-company-operations-after-drone-2026-03-10/

Gold and Geopolitics https://no01.substack.com/

Bahrain’s Bapco issues force majeure after refinery hit https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2798255-bahrain-s-bapco-issues-force-majeure-after-refinery-hit

Iran’s Drones Cost a Fraction of the U.S. Weapons Shooting Them Down https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/business/iran-shahed-drones-missiles-us-war.html

More than 100 Iranian naval vessels destroyed, and ‘we aren’t done,’ CENTCOM leader says https://www.stripes.com/theaters/middle_east/2026-03-16/centcom-update-operation-epic-fury-day-16-21086277.html