A luxury hotel in Dubai burst into flames on Saturday after Iranian missiles and drones targeted the Gulf states, as the Islamic republic retaliated against its US-allied neighbours.
An apparent drone attack on the Fairmont The Palm hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah sparked a fire and spread panic on the man-made island, which is home to many of the city’s wealthiest residents. A plume of smoke was also seen near the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.
Hours after US and Israeli forces attacked targets across Iran, Gulf countries faced the brunt of Tehran’s response, as the regime threatened to target US targets across the region if attacked.
A Western diplomat said, “They (Iran) will attack wherever possible – they can no longer afford to think about the nuances of their regional relations.”
While most of the Iranian barrages were stopped by the Gulf countries’ sophisticated air defense systems, several kamikaze drones appeared to avoid them, causing significant damage and some casualties in the tourist hub Dubai, Bahrain’s capital Manama, Doha and Kuwait City.
Social media posts on Saturday showed the Fairmont Hotel being targeted by an Iranian drone. An official briefed on the matter later confirmed that the attack took place in the hotel courtyard, causing injuries but no deaths.
Belgian entrepreneur Caitlin Pennell was in her apartment across the street from the Fairmont when the strike occurred. “It really shook us, because we are so close. It shook the windows, but luckily nothing broke here,” he said.
Dubai officials confirmed that emergency teams had responded to an incident at the Palm, but said that “old videos” of “previous fire incidents in Dubai” were “misleading”. He warned that legal action would be taken against those publishing such content in violation of UAE law.
Several waves of strikes from late morning to evening caused massive explosions across the UAE. The anticipated targets were the airports of Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi and Al Minhad in Dubai.
Minhad, once an isolated hamlet in the desert, is now surrounded by housing. Residents posted photos of smoke rising from the area.
UAE officials posted photos of missile debris that fell in areas of the capital. One Pakistani activist died as a result of the attacks.
Becoming the target of direct military action threatens the economic model of the UAE, and especially Dubai, which has become the Middle East’s leading trade, tourism and finance hub.
The emirate has diversified away from dependence on oil revenues by expanding tourism, financial services and commerce – successfully transforming itself into a thriving tax-exempt metropolis due to the large influx of foreign workers.
as an anonymous person Posted on x: “Moved to Dubai for tax shelter and now I’m in a bomb shelter.”
The attacks also affected air travel in the region. Dubai Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, was closed to air traffic like other parts of the Gulf. “The place was a complete mess,” said one passenger.
Security consultant Nigel Lee said companies were not considering evacuation due to the widespread closure of regional airspace.
“Most companies are now advising employees to stay at home under tight security and are advising employees to be prepared to work from home on Sunday or Monday, from the beginning of the work week,” he said.
Giving information about the situation, a diplomat said that Qatar was also a victim of retaliatory attacks, Iran fired 44 missiles and eight drones targeting American positions and early warning radars. The diplomat said eight people were injured, one of whom is in serious condition.
The attack was more significant than any bombing carried out by Tehran during the 12-day Israel-Iran war last June. Residents hid in their homes after hearing the sounds of continuous explosions in the capital Doha. “There is a lot of panic here,” said a resident of an American compound.
A drone attack on Kuwait City’s international airport caused minor injuries to staff and some damage, according to the Gulf state’s Civil Aviation Authority.
In Bahrain, video shows an Iranian drone attacking a US naval facility in the Juffair district of the capital Manama, where the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based. Other footage identified a drone crossing the bay before landing at the base.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said several residential buildings in Manama were also targeted. The island, which has a majority Shia population under Sunni rule, is a longtime enemy of the Shia-led Islamic Republic.
Saudi Arabia was the last Gulf country to admit that it had been targeted by Iran. The government said only that it had halted attacks on the capital Riyadh and the oil-rich eastern province, but did not provide details. An official statement strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as “cowardly” and “unjustified”.
For years, the Gulf countries, and especially the United Arab Emirates, have feared Iranian military attacks in the event of a US-led war on Iran.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have been trying to ease tensions with Tehran in recent years and the Islamic republic has sought to improve regional ties as friction with the West has intensified.
Gulf countries have also refused to allow US forces to launch military operations against Iran from Gulf bases, hoping to avoid any retaliation.
Many in the region also rejected the possibility that Tehran would attack cities like Dubai, which has long served as a trade and finance hub for Iran, and many UAE citizens have Iranian roots.
But on Saturday it became clear they were in the line of fire.
Firas Maqsad of Eurasia Group said, “It’s bad for the Gulf, especially for Emiratis, with nothing getting under their skin more than drones and missiles in the skies of Dubai or Abu Dhabi. It’s the last thing they want to see.”
“The Gulf countries are very much reviewing their stance towards Iran and if this continues they will feel forced to respond,” he said. “This will be another step on the escalatory ladder.”
Loud explosions echoed across the sky over Dubai on Saturday evening, prompting residents to brace themselves for further attacks. “It’s going to be a wild night,” said one.
But the city remained busy as the day’s fast during the holy month of Ramadan ended with evening activities despite authorities urging people to stay at home.
“There’s a lot of business happening there,” Pennell said. “It’s like normal life needs to go on.”
Additional reporting by Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran and Ahmed Al Omran in Riyadh
