Videos circulating online showed smoke and fire at a luxury hotel located on Palm Jumeirah after debris believed to be from intercepted missiles struck the building. Residents reported loud blasts across parts of Dubai, while emergency services were deployed to secure affected areas. The situation intensified after explosions were also heard near the city’s airport, forcing authorities to suspend flight operations as a safety measure.

Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport halted all inbound and outbound flights until further notice, with more than 700 flights reported cancelled or delayed. Airport operators advised passengers to check flight status online and avoid travelling to terminals until normal operations resumed. Government agencies urged residents to remain indoors and stay alert as defence systems continued to monitor the airspace.

The Ministry of Defence said the country’s air defence systems intercepted several Iranian missiles and prevented further damage, calling the attack a serious escalation that threatened regional stability. Officials confirmed that at least one civilian was killed in Abu Dhabi after being struck by falling debris, marking the first reported fatality from the strike. The government stated that it reserves the right to respond and will take all necessary steps to protect national security.

The missile attack followed reports of strikes on Iranian targets earlier in the day, raising fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East. Security has been tightened across the Gulf as tensions between Iran, the United States and its allies continue to rise, with authorities warning that the situation remains volatile.