Iranian-designed Shahed drones, initially prominent in the Ukraine conflict, are now being deployed by Tehran across the Persian Gulf in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli attacks. These drones, costing tens of thousands of dollars, offer a cost-effective alternative to expensive missiles, capable of overwhelming air defenses with sheer numbers. Russia, after securing a deal with Iran early in the Ukraine war, has localized production of these drones, renaming them "Geran" and significantly increasing output, launching hundreds in single nights to saturate defenses. Following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran retaliated with a barrage of hundreds of missiles and drones targeting various locations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, including U.S. bases and oil facilities, with air defenses in Dubai intercepting over 540 drones and 165 ballistic missiles in two days.