Explosions in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh
DUBAI, UAE – Iran missile strike Dubai Gulf: In a dramatic escalation of the Middle East conflict, Iran launched a massive barrage of ballistic missiles and drones on Saturday, targeting multiple sites across the Gulf region in retaliation for joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian territory earlier in the day. Explosions were reported in major cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh, triggering air defense responses and forcing mass evacuations, including at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa .
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed it had struck “several US facilities” in the region, specifically naming the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as well as American bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates . The coordinated assault marks a significant widening of the conflict, directly involving Gulf states that host American military personnel.
Explosions Across the Gulf
United Arab Emirates: Witnesses in Dubai reported hearing loud explosions and seeing missiles streak across the sky. “It was a big explosion, and it made the windows shake,” one resident told AFP . In a highly symbolic move, the Burj Khalifa was evacuated as a precautionary measure . Flight operations at both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) were suspended indefinitely due to airspace closures .
In the capital, Abu Dhabi, the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that a civilian of Asian nationality was killed by “falling missile debris in a residential area” . Authorities stated that air defenses had intercepted several Iranian missiles with “high efficiency” but condemned the attack as a “dangerous escalation,” reserving the right to respond .
Qatar: Multiple explosions were heard in the capital, Doha. Qatar’s Ministry of Defense reported that its Patriot defense systems successfully intercepted missiles, and initial assessments indicated no damage or casualties . Despite the successful interception, the Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the strike as a “blatant violation” of its national sovereignty and a direct threat to its security .
Saudi Arabia: Loud explosions were reported in the capital city of Riyadh . While details on specific targets or damage remain unclear, the Saudi leadership issued a strong condemnation of what it described as “the treacherous Iranian aggression” against its neighbors .
Bahrain: The Kingdom of Bahrain confirmed that a missile attack targeted the service center of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama. Images circulating on social media showed smoke rising from the Juffair area, which hosts the US naval base .
Kuwait and Jordan: Air defense systems were activated in both nations. Kuwait confirmed it had engaged incoming missiles and condemned the violation of its airspace . Jordanian forces reported downing two Iranian ballistic missiles .
The Spark: US-Israel “Preemptive” Strikes on Iran
The Iranian retaliation comes just hours after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against targets inside Iran.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel had carried out a “preemptive strike” against Iran, with sirens sounding across Israel and a nationwide state of emergency declared . US President Donald Trump confirmed the involvement of American forces, announcing the start of “major combat operations in Iran” under the code name “Operation Epic Fury” .
“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” Trump said in a video statement. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime” .
Explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran, as well as the cities of Qom, Isfahan, and Kermanshah . Iranian news agencies reported that the initial Israeli strikes killed and wounded numerous Revolutionary Guard personnel. The strikes came despite ongoing diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran’s nuclear program, which had been mediated by Oman and concluded in Geneva just days prior .
Regional Condemnation and International Reaction
The Iranian strikes on sovereign Arab states drew swift and widespread condemnation from across the region and the world.
Saudi Arabia warned of “grave consequences” and called the strikes a “blatant violation of the sovereignty” of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan . Qatar stated that the attacks contradict “the principles of good neighborliness” and affirmed its right to respond . Kuwait labeled the attack a “flagrant violation” of international law .
Internationally, China expressed high concern and stressed that Iran’s sovereignty should be respected . Russia condemned the “unprovoked armed attack” by the US and Israel . France’s President Emmanuel Macron warned that the outbreak of war carries “grave consequences for international peace and security” . UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation and strongly encouraged “all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table” .
Oman, which had been mediating the recent nuclear talks, expressed dismay. Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi posted on social media: “Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined… I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war” .
Current Situation
As of Saturday evening local time, airspace across the Gulf region remained partially closed, and commercial flights were severely disrupted. The IRGC has warned that its attacks are ongoing and that further information would be released, while the US and Israel have indicated that combat operations against Iranian targets will continue . The international community is urgently calling for de-escalation to prevent the region from plunging into a full-scale war.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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