Iranian retaliatory airstrikes on the UAE damaged major Dubai landmarks and disrupted airport operations, undermining the country’s reputation as a safe regional haven.
Iranian missiles and drones struck the United Arab Emirates over the weekend, damaging key sites in Dubai and killing one person while injuring seven others in Abu Dhabi. According to the Associated Press, debris from intercepted weapons sparked fires near iconic landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab and facilities at Jebel Ali Port, while parts of Dubai International Airport sustained damage. UAE officials said air defenses intercepted hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones over two days, describing the blasts heard across the city as interceptions.
The attacks mark a significant escalation following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, shaking the UAE’s long-cultivated image as a secure, tax-free haven for tourists and expatriates. The government temporarily closed its airspace, shuttered its embassy in Tehran and withdrew diplomats, condemning the strikes as aggression that threatens regional stability. Residents and visitors described scenes of explosions lighting up the night sky, with some reconsidering future travel to the Gulf.