Iran Attacks Gulf States: Bahrain Navy Base, Dubai's Fairmont Palm Hotel, Burj Khalifa Evacuated as Operation Epic Fury Ignites Regional War
Missile and drone strikes launched by Iran have struck the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and triggered chaos across the UAE, including an explosion and fire at the Fairmont The Palm hotel on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah. The attacks, Iran's direct retaliation for the US-Israeli military offensive dubbed Operation Epic Fury, have placed Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, and Kuwait on maximum alert as of Saturday, February 28, 2026 ET.
Bahrain Missile Attack Hits US Navy 5th Fleet Headquarters
Bahrain's National Communication Centre confirmed that the US Navy's Fifth Fleet support facility came under missile attack, with smoke rising from the Juffair district, which hosts the major American naval base.
Missile and drone attacks continued well into the night in Bahrain. Multiple explosions rocked the capital, Manama, as air raid warning sirens blared and armored vehicles convoyed along roads. Military personnel were directed to evacuate sections of Manama and to leave any high-rise apartments for lower ground.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry called on citizens and residents to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place" after sirens were activated across the country, urging the public to use main roads only when necessary.
Bahrain hosts US Naval Forces Central Command headquarters and the Navy's 5th Fleet, with about 8,300 sailors stationed there. It is also one of the few accompanied postings in the region, with hundreds of spouses and family members living on the island.
Dubai Attack: Fairmont Palm Hotel on Fire, Burj Khalifa Evacuated
The Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai's Palm Jumeirah was hit by debris from a missile intercepted by the UAE's air defences. At least four people were reported injured, as firefighting crews quickly worked to bring the fire under control.
Dubai Civil Defence confirmed the fire is now under control. Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest, halted all operations, and the iconic Burj Khalifa was evacuated by authorities as a precautionary measure.
Residents across Dubai reported seeing missiles streaking through clear night skies. Loud thuds rattled windows in high-rise buildings, including areas near the Burj Khalifa. "It was a rumble and then a bang," one resident told AFP.
UAE News: Abu Dhabi Hit, Al Dhafra Base Targeted
Abu Dhabi faces graver concerns, as it houses Washington's Al Dhafra Air Base, the main target of Iran's airstrikes on the UAE. Residents in the capital received emergency alerts on their phones warning of "potential missile threats" and were advised to take immediate shelter away from windows and open areas.
The UAE Ministry of Defence stated that a civilian of Asian nationality was killed when missile debris fell in a residential area of Abu Dhabi. The ministry called the attacks "dangerous escalations" and condemned the targeting of civilian areas.
The UAE declared it "has the full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory and population," adding that the targeting represents "a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law."
Qatar, Doha, Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jordan Under Fire
Iran's Fars news agency reported that four US military bases were targeted by ballistic missiles: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the US Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain.
Qatar intercepted a number of attacks aimed at the country, its Defence Ministry confirmed. Jordan also intercepted two ballistic missiles. US embassies in Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Israel advised Americans to shelter in place immediately.
Two officials from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militia said the group is expected to resume attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, threatening to expand the scope of strikes and widen the broader confrontation across the region.
Operation Epic Fury: What Triggered the Bahrain and Dubai Attacks
President Donald Trump confirmed in a video on social media that the US had begun "major combat operations in Iran," stating that Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the United States. Trump also appealed to the Iranian people to "take over your government."
Iranian Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint attack was to "remove an existential threat posed" by Iran. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard responded by launching a "first wave" of drones and missiles targeting Israel and US bases across the Gulf.
Iran Allies and Regional Fallout
Iran's rapid retaliation against the US-Israeli attack with strikes across the Gulf indicates that the conflict is not confined. Unlike the 12-day war in June 2025, ballistic missiles landing in Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha represent the worst-case scenario for Gulf monarchies trying to pitch their capitals as safe hubs for business and tourism.
Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced it was canceling flights not only to Israel but also to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Jordan. An Etihad Airways flight that departed Abu Dhabi for Tel Aviv turned back en route. Airlines cancelled roughly half of their scheduled flights to Qatar and Israel as the region braced for further strikes.
