Dubai-Abu Dhabi highlights: Saudi orders Iranian military attache to leave; UAE intercepts missiles

Dubai news LIVE: Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia, in a significant escalation of the conflict. According to reports, one missile failed mid-flight, while a US warship attempted to intercept the second using an SM-3 defence system, though it remains unclear if the interception succeeded. The base is a key strategic facility jointly operated by the United States and the United Kingdom.

The attempted strike is notable because Diego Garcia lies roughly 4,000 km from Iran – far beyond Tehran’s previously stated missile range of 2,000 km. The incident has raised concerns that Iran’s strike capabilities may be more advanced than publicly known, even as the US signals it is close to scaling down military operations against Tehran.

(ANI)

Dubai news LIVE: Austrian military analyst Tom Cooper has criticised Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, calling it “mindless” and warning it could trigger retaliatory attacks on energy facilities in Qatar. He said targeting such critical infrastructure risks widening the conflict, especially as many countries, including India, rely heavily on Gulf gas and related supplies like fertilisers.

Cooper added that despite being militarily outmatched, Iran retains the ability to sustain repeated retaliatory strikes due to its deeply buried and well-protected infrastructure.

(ANI)

Dubai news LIVE: An Indian seafarer remains stranded near a port in Qatar as the ongoing conflict involving Iran has effectively blocked movement through the Strait of Hormuz. His wife, Smruti Rekha Sahu from Odisha, said he was due to return after a four-month contract but has been stuck for over 10 days as vessels are unable to cross the crucial shipping route amid escalating hostilities.

Appealing for urgent intervention, she said crew members are facing shortages of food and water while missile activity continues in the region. Their family has urged both state and central governments to ensure a safe rescue.

(ANI)

Dubai news LIVE: Iran’s attacks on energy infrastructure in Qatar have forced a halt in helium production, triggering concerns beyond energy markets and into global technology supply chains. Qatar, which supplies about one-third of the world’s helium, suspended output shortly after the conflict escalated, with further strikes expected to cut exports by around 14%.

Though commonly associated with balloons, helium is critical for advanced industries including semiconductor manufacturing, space exploration and medical imaging. The disruption is now raising alarms over potential shortages that could impact chip production and other high-tech sectors worldwide, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing conflict.

(AP)

Dubai news LIVE: Iran has issued a strong warning to the United Arab Emirates, cautioning against allowing its territory to be used for attacks on Iranian-controlled islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf. Iran’s top military command said it would target Ras Al Khaimah with “heavy and crushing strikes” if any further aggression originates from UAE soil, reiterating its stance of responding forcefully to threats against its sovereignty.

The warning comes amid intensified hostilities following US-Israeli actions against Iran, with Tehran claiming strikes on American-linked facilities across the region. UAE authorities said their air defences have intercepted hundreds of missiles and drones since the conflict began, resulting in casualties and injuries.

(ANI)

Dubai news LIVE: Authorities in Abu Dhabi have arrested more than 100 people for filming sensitive sites and sharing “misleading” content on social media during the ongoing Middle East conflict. Police said 109 individuals of various nationalities were detained for circulating incorrect information that could incite panic and spread rumours, as Gulf nations tighten control over war-related coverage.

The crackdown extends across the region, with Qatar arresting over 300 people for similar offences, while Bahrain and Kuwait have also taken action. Officials say the measures come amid heightened tensions following attacks by Iran targeting US assets and key civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, prompting stricter enforcement to curb misinformation and maintain public order.

(AFP)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia and Turkey have strongly condemned Israel for carrying out strikes on Syrian army positions, calling the action a violation of international law and sovereignty. Saudi Arabia termed the attacks “blatant aggression” and urged the global community to intervene, while Turkey described the strikes as a “dangerous escalation” that must be stopped.

Israel said it targeted southern Syria in response to attacks on the Druze community in Sweida province, where recent clashes have left several fighters dead and residential areas hit by shelling. Syria rejected the justification as “fabricated,” accusing Israel of breaching its territorial integrity. The strikes come amid a wider regional conflict triggered by US-Israeli action against Iran, raising fears of further escalation even as Syria risks being drawn deeper into the crisis.

(AFP)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Attacks on key energy infrastructure in the Middle East have marked a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, raising fears of a global energy shock. Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field – responsible for nearly 70% of the country’s gas production – was followed within hours by Iran targeting Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial hub, the world’s largest LNG facility supplying about 20% of global demand.

The fallout is already rippling through global markets. Damage to Ras Laffan has cut processing capacity by about 17%. Combined with an estimated 20% hit to global oil flows, crude prices have surged past $100 per barrel. Analysts warned that prolonged disruption could fuel inflation, raise fuel and food prices worldwide, and slow economic growth.

(The Conversation)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia said it intercepted 20 drones within a span of just a few hours in its eastern region, which houses key oil installations. According to the defence ministry, no injuries or damage were reported.

The escalation comes after Iran intensified attacks on Gulf neighbours following Israeli strikes on its South Pars offshore gas field. The conflict has pushed Brent crude prices to around $108 per barrel, up sharply from about $70 before the war began.

(AP)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Dubai’s real estate sector is beginning to show early signs of weakness nearly three weeks into the war, as its long-standing image as a safe haven for global investors takes a hit.

Transaction volumes in the UAE dropped sharply, falling 37% year-on-year and 49% month-on-month in early March, according to Goldman Sachs estimates. Some sellers are already offering discounts of 12-15%, including properties near Burj Khalifa and in premium areas like Palm Jumeirah, Reuters reported.

Analysts warn the conflict could accelerate a broader market slowdown that was already anticipated after years of rapid price growth. Shares of major developer Emaar Properties have fallen over 26% since the war began.

Despite the downturn, activity has not come to a halt. Industry executives say investors – including international buyers and regional family offices – are actively seeking discounted or distressed deals, indicating continued underlying demand.

(Reuters)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Air travel across the Middle East remains heavily disrupted as the conflict forces airspace closures and operational adjustments.

– Emirates said it is operating a reduced flight schedule following the partial reopening of regional airspace.

– Similarly, Etihad Airways is running a limited number of commercial flights connecting Abu Dhabi with key destinations.

– Saudi-based Flynas has extended its suspension of flights to multiple regional destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Gulf cities, until at least March 31.

– Meanwhile, Qatar Airways is operating a revised and restricted flight schedule for a limited period, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and safety concerns across regional airspace.

The disruptions have stranded tens of thousands of passengers, with airlines continuing to reassess schedules as the situation evolves.

(Reuters)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Authorities in Dubai confirmed that loud sounds heard across parts of the city were due to successful air defence interception operations. Officials urged residents to rely only on verified and official sources for updates, amid heightened tensions in the region.

War news LIVE: Iran reportedly fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean, indicating that it has missiles with longer range than earlier thought.

If confirmed, this would mark Iran’s first operational use of IRBMs and a significant attempt to target areas far beyond the Middle East and threaten US interests. Read full report here

The U.S. military is deploying three more warships and roughly 2,500 more marines to the Middle East, where the war continues to disrupt life and energy supplies since three weeks.

Meanwhile, thr Pentagon’s request for another $200 billion to fund the war would need congressional approval as the US national debt hits a record $39 trillion.

(via AP)

Dubai news LIVE: Dubai media office said in a post on X in the early hours of Saturday that the sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations.

it urged people to rely on official sources for updates.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The president made the comment in a post on social media Friday evening after another climb in oil prices sent the U.S. stock market sharply lower.

Trump’s statement seemed at odds with his administration’s move to send more troops and warships to the region and request another $200 billion from Congress to fund the war.

In his post, the president also left a muddled picture of whether the U.S. would police the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Trump had said this week that the U.S. didn’t need help, while also complaining that other countries did not help.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Six Indian nationals have lost their lives, and one remains missing in separate incidents across the Gulf region amidst the West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday, adding that Indian missions are coordinating with local authorities for assistance and repatriation.

"Six Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives, and one is missing in various incidents. Our missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq and UAE are in regular touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for the early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased Indian nationals to India," Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, Aseem R Mahajan said.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that the UAE’s port city of Ras Al Khaimah could be targeted if Iran’s Abu Musa and Greater Tunb islands near the Strait of Hormuz are attacked again.

The islands are strategically placed at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, and remain under Iranian control despite being disputed by the UAE.