Dubai Under Attack: Iran Bombs Gulf Nations, US Naval Base Bahrain, and Dubai International Airport as Regional War Erupts
Iran's IRGC has launched an unprecedented wave of missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, hitting Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and the US Navy 5th Fleet in Bahrain. What was once unimaginable — Dubai under attack — is now a dangerous, fast-moving reality on the ground.
Dubai Bombing Strikes Fairmont Palm Dubai and Dubai International Airport
An airstrike on the Fairmont Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah sparked a major fire, spreading panic across the famous man-made island where many of the city's wealthiest residents live. Flames were also seen licking the facade of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, and smoke rose near the Burj Khalifa after an intercepted drone detonated overhead.
Dramatic footage showed passengers fleeing a smoke-filled passageway strewn with debris at Dubai International Airport, where officials confirmed four staff members were injured. A concourse sustained minor damage and emergency response teams were immediately deployed.
Iran launched 541 bomb-carrying drones at the UAE. Of those, 506 were intercepted, but the remaining 35 struck several locations including the Fairmont Palm Dubai hotel and Dubai International Airport. Falling debris from interceptions killed three people and wounded 58 others.
Dubai Airport News: UAE Airspace Closed, Tourists Stranded
The UAE closed its airspace as Dubai was almost unrecognizable on a winter weekend that would normally be peak tourist season. Highways were largely empty and the sky, normally packed with arriving and departing aircraft, was clear.
With no exit by air, some residents drove toward quieter parts of the country or crossed into Oman by road. Dubai, a city that prides itself on safety and stability, has no public bomb shelters, leaving many residents to spend the night in underground parking garages.
Iran Bombs US Naval Base Bahrain: US Navy 5th Fleet and NSA Bahrain Hit
Iranian drones damaged US Navy facilities at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama. U.S. Navy Central Command told all servicemembers and contractors that the Juffair neighborhood surrounding the base was no longer safe, directing personnel to relocate to hotels.
The US Navy 5th Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, oversees an area of operations covering nearly 2.5 million square miles, including the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Any sustained targeting of the Bahrain country base carries major implications for maritime security and regional energy markets.
Bahrain is home to approximately 8,300 sailors and is one of the few accompanied postings in the region, with hundreds of spouses and family members living on the island. The Department of Defense authorized the departure of military dependents following the strikes.
IRGC Targets Gulf Nations: Doha, Riyadh, and Bahrain Country Under Fire
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed all Israeli and US military targets across the Middle East had been struck, vowing the operation would "continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated."
Qatari officials confirmed Iran launched 65 missiles and 12 drones toward the Gulf state, most of which were intercepted, but 16 people were injured. Saudi Arabia also said Iran struck Riyadh and its eastern region. Sirens were additionally heard in Kuwait, while Jordanian defense systems intercepted missiles over Amman.
Bahrain's Ministry of Interior activated air raid alerts and urged residents to head to the nearest safe place, closing the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge linking Manama to nearby towns. The US Embassy in Bahrain warned of terrorist threats against US citizens abroad.
Where Is Dubai in This Crisis? Economic Fallout Begins
DP World suspended operations at Jebel Ali port — the largest container port in the Middle East — after a berth caught fire from intercepted missile debris. The port and adjacent free-trade zone account for 36% of Dubai's GDP, and hundreds of ships near the Strait of Hormuz have frozen in place over fears Iran will close the vital chokepoint.
Iran's strategy appears focused on inflicting economic pain on America's Gulf allies, including the UAE, hoping they will pressure Washington to end combat operations against Tehran.
UAE News: Dubai's Safe-Haven Image Shattered
The UAE's Defense Ministry said air defenses dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and more than 540 Iranian drones over two days. The UAE closed its airspace, shuttered its embassy in Tehran on Sunday, and withdrew its diplomats, calling the attacks an "aggressive and provocative approach" that threatens the region.
The attacks mark the most severe breach of Gulf security in modern history. Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Riyadh — long considered stable anchors of the Middle East — now face a widening conflict with no clear end in sight as Iran continues striking US assets across the region into a third consecutive day.
