The strikes on the United Arab Emirates formed part of a broader Iranian retaliation after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran.

11:39, Sun, Mar 1, 2026 Updated: 11:51, Sun, Mar 1, 2026

Dubai

Tourists in Dubai have reportedly been forced to take shelter in basements (Image: X)

Dubai was plunged into lockdown overnight after Iranian missiles and drones targeted the emirate in retaliation for a joint US-Israeli assault that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Air defence systems intercepted waves of projectiles late on February 28, but debris injured civilians and damaged key infrastructure in what authorities described as a direct response to Western strikes on Tehran hours earlier.

Footage shared online showed guests at luxury hotels on Palm Jumeirah and in Downtown Dubai being moved into underground car parks and windowless basements as sirens sounded across the city. Thousands of tourists spent the night sheltering on concrete floors while explosions were heard overhead. Dubai authorities said two people were injured when debris from intercepted drones fell into residential courtyards. In Abu Dhabi, shrapnel from a downed drone lightly wounded a woman and her child.

A fire broke out on the outer façade of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab after burning debris fell from the sky. Civil Defence crews contained the blaze. Smoke was also seen rising near Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international travel. Airport operations were suspended, with Emirates halting flights and thousands of passengers stranded. Some expats received text alerts at 12.30am urging them to take shelter.

The strikes on the United Arab Emirates formed part of a broader Iranian retaliation after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran. Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in the bombardment. The US President, Donald Trump, said the attack offered Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back” their country and warned Tehran against escalating further.

Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel and at US military installations across the Gulf. Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama, damaging three buildings. Qatar and Kuwait reported intercepting incoming projectiles, while Oman said its port of Duqm had been struck.

In Israel, rescue services said one person was killed, and more than 120 were injured in the first 24 hours of fighting as missiles hit residential areas in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The Israeli military claimed it had killed 40 senior Iranian military officials and was striking central Tehran, including sites near state institutions.

??????#BREAKING: The world's iconic Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, widely known as the world’s only seven-star rating hotel, has been hit by an Iranian drone, with footage showing flames rising from the property. pic.twitter.com/jhbXS2cgbB

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 28, 2026

The violence spread beyond the Gulf. In Karachi, protesters stormed the US Consulate, and Pakistani officials said at least nine people died in clashes with police. Demonstrations were also reported in Iraq and Indian-administered Kashmir.

Iran’s internet connectivity fell to around 1% of normal levels, according to monitoring groups, amid continued bombardment. Tehran announced the formation of a three-member leadership council pending the selection of a new supreme leader.

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Airspace closures across the Middle East stranded tens of thousands, including more than 1,600 passengers in Bali awaiting flights to Gulf destinations.

With missile exchanges continuing into Sunday and Western forces signalling further operations, Gulf states remained on high alert. What began as a targeted strike on Tehran has widened into a regional confrontation, disrupting global travel and threatening key energy and military infrastructure across the Middle East.