Dubai Abu Dhabi news highlights: UAE Consulate in Iraq attacked; Trump says war 'close to end'

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: China said on Monday it opposes any move to target Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, following threats by the Israeli military against the successor to his slain father, Ali Khamenei.

"China opposes interference in other countries' internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: In an advisory issued, the US embassy in Saudi Arabia urged American nationals to fill a crisis intake form and assured them that the department is “coordinating flights out of the region and can manifest Americans who have completed the Crisis Intake Form as space is available.”

Here's what the advisory says:

• Options to Depart: Commercial flights are currently operating out of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran and Saudi airspace remains open, but with significant flight cancellations and prolonged operational delays.  Americans should strongly consider departing on one of these flights if they believe it is safe to do so. Visit airline websites to find information about flight availability and purchasing tickets.
• Shelter in Place: If you choose not to depart via commercial options, you should be prepared to shelter in place in a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items.

Actions to Take

• Maintain communication with family and friends to inform them of your status.
• Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Find a secure location within your residence or another safe building.  Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items.
• In case of an attack, stay away from any debris, and monitor news outlets for official guidance.
• Avoid protests and demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings.
• Pay close attention to communications from local officials.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive safety and security updates from the U.S. Embassy.
• Keep your cell phone charged and pre-programmed with the following emergency numbers.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Azerbaijan said on Monday it had reopened its border crossings with Iran for all cargo traffic, the Russian state-run TASS news agency reported.

The border crossings, one of the shortest land routes connecting Iran to its ally Russia, were closed last week after what Baku described as an Iranian drone attack in the Nakhchivan exclave.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Turkey's defence ministry said it has deployed six F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems to the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in light of recent developments in the region.

“Additional measures will continue to be taken based on further developments, if deemed necessary,” the ministry said in a statement.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: UAE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, visited police field and specialised units to assess operational readiness and review the progress of their duties.

During the visit, Al Alawi received briefings on field operations and the responsibilities of the police force. He praised the personnel for their “high level of readiness, discipline, and efficiency.”

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Bahrain’s state oil company on Monday declared force majeure on its shipments after an Iranian attack set its refinery complex on fire, according to an announcement carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency, cited by AP.

The company said its operations “have been affected by the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East and the recent attack on its refinery complex.”

Force majeure is a legal provision that allows companies to suspend contractual obligations due to extraordinary circumstances. Authorities, however, said domestic fuel demand in Bahrain would continue to be met despite the disruption.

(AP)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Ongoing missile and drone strikes have resulted in four deaths in the United Arab Emirates so far, according to the ministry. The victims include nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, while 112 people have sustained moderate to minor injuries so far, ANI reported.

The injured include nationals from a wide range of countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros and Turkiye, the ministry said.

(ANI)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Since the start of the hostilities, the United Arab Emirates’ air defence systems have detected a total of 238 ballistic missiles, of which 221 were successfully intercepted, while 15 fell into the sea and impacted the country, according to official figures cited by news agency ANI.

Authorities also reported the detection of 1,422 Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the same period. Of these, 1,342 were intercepted, while 80 struck UAE soil. In addition, 8 cruise missiles were detected and successfully destroyed by air defence systems.

(ANI)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates also posted a separate message clarifying that the missile and drone threats are from Iran and that any sounds heard are that of the Air Defence Systems intercepting these threats.

“UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones,” it posted on Monday.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The United Arab Emirates' Ministry Of Interior on Monday said it is dealing with a fresh missile threat, and advised residents tot take cover.

“Air defenses are now dealing with a missile threat. Please remain in a safe place and follow the warnings and updates on official websites,” the ministry wrote in a message on X.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia on Monday strongly condemned Iran over attacks targeting the kingdom and other Gulf countries, calling the actions “reprehensible”.

In a statement posted on the foreign ministry’s official X account, Saudi Arabia said it “renews the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's categorical condemnation of the reprehensible Iranian aggressions against the Kingdom, the Gulf Cooperation Council states, a number of Arab and Islamic countries, and friendly nations”.

The statement added that such actions “cannot be accepted or justified under any circumstances.”

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Aramco has offered prompt crude supplies through rare spot market tenders after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted oil shipments, forcing producers to reroute flows through the Red Sea, according to Bloomberg.

The world’s largest crude exporter has offered three grades, Arab Extra Light, Arab Heavy and Arab Light, with around 4.6 million barrels made available in recent days, traders familiar with the matter told the agency. The company typically sells crude through long-term contracts, making the use of spot tenders unusual.

Shipments are now being redirected via pipelines to Yanbu on the Red Sea, with exports from western terminals rising to about 2.3 million barrels a day, roughly 50% higher than any monthly level since 2016, Bloomberg reported. Traders said the tenders were offered at a premium over the official selling prices set for March.

(Bloomberg)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Amid the evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf, Air India on Sunday said both Air India and Air India Express will continue their scheduled flights to and from Jeddah and Muscat, as the airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman remains open.

In a travel advisory, the airline said, “Air India and Air India Express will continue to operate their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on 9 March 2026… The two airlines will together operate a total of 10 flights to and from Jeddah and Air India Express will operate 14 flights to and from Muscat.”

The airline also announced additional flights to help stranded passengers. “In addition to the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express would operate a total of 32 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 09 March 2026 to assist in bringing stranded travellers home to India,” the statement said, adding that the flights will operate subject to slot availability and necessary regulatory permissions.

(ANI)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The UAE on Sunday released footage showing its air defence systems intercepting drones.

The ministry of defence said, “there is no compromise when it comes to the nation’s security and sovereignty. The UAE Armed Forces stand ready to deter any threat."

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Smoke was seen around the Bapco oil refinery in Bahrain after the government earlier said injuries and damage were reported in the Sitra area following an Iranian drone attack, a witness told news agency Reuters.

Bahrain's health ministry said Monday that an Iranian drone attack on the island of Sitra overnight wounded 32 civilians.

All of the wounded were Bahraini citizens and there were four "serious cases" including children, the ministry said in a statement carried by the Gulf nation's state news agency.

Dubai news LIVE updates: The United Arab Emirates said that it was responding to a missile threat, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said.

"Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates,” it added.

Earlier, authorities said that missile attack had been detected and that air defence systems were activated, as Iran continued its retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

Bahrain on Monday said that an Iranian drone strike on the Sitra island injured 32 people overnight, as new retaliatory strikes from Iran rang across Gulf nations, AFP reported.

All the injured persons were Bahraini citizens, the health ministry said in a statement carried by a state news agency, adding that there were four "serious cases", including children.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Qatar has strongly condemned an attack attributed to Iran that targeted a residential facility in Al-Kharj, a city in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and leaving several others injured.

In an official statement released on Sunday (local time) on X, Qatar described the strike as a serious violation of international norms and warned that such actions could further destabilise an already tense regional environment. The statement emphasised that attacks targeting civilian locations undermine international law and risk escalating conflict across West Asia.

"Qatar deems the attack a flagrant violation of international law and its principles, and a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region," the statement added.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Bahrain said sirens were heard on Monday morning in the country ahead of an attack, urging people to head to safe locations.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The Saudi defence ministry said on Monday it had thwarted a drone attack targeting an oil field in the kingdom's east, near the Emirati border.

"Four drones heading towards the Shaybah oil field were intercepted and destroyed," a defence ministry statement said.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel for the first time in almost four years as more major Middle East producers cut production, the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed, and the United States warned it could deepen a conflict that has already shaken global energy markets.

For the first time in nearly four years, the global oil benchmark Brent rose above $100 a barrel, The New York Times reported. Oil prices are now about 50 percent higher than they were before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed past $114 a barrel when trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. This is a 23% jump from its Friday closing price of $92.69.

West Texas Intermediate, the light, sweet crude produced in the United States, was also trading at around $114 a barrel. This is a 25% rise from its Friday close of $90.90. More details here.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, the country's defence ministry said in a statement.

“UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones. The public are requested to adhere to the safety and security instructions issued,” the statement said.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia sharpened its warnings to Iran early Monday, telling Tehran it would be the “biggest loser” if it continues to attack Arab states.

The Saudi statement came after a new drone attack apparently targeted its massive Shaybah oil field.

The kingdom dismissed comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday that Iran had halted its attacks on Gulf Arab states.

“The kingdom affirms that the Iranian side has not implemented this statement in practice, neither during the Iranian president’s speech nor afterward,” Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Iran has continued its aggression based on flimsy pretexts devoid of any factual basis.”

It added the Iranian attacks mean “further escalation which will have grave impact on the relations, currently and in the future.”

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: A drone attack targeted a US military base near Erbil airport in Iraqi Kurdistan, security sources told news agency Reuters.

Rocket and drone attacks also targeted a US diplomatic facility near Baghdad International Airport and were intercepted by the C-RAM defence system, police sources told the news agency.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Iran's state television referred to Mojtaba Khamenei as a "Jaanbaz [injured war veteran] of Ramadan", indicating that he may have been wounded during the ongoing war.

Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of Iran's late supreme leader, has been named as the Islamic Republic's next ruler, authorities announced Monday, as Tehran widened its attacks across the Mideast.

The younger Khamenei, who had not been seen or heard from publicly since the war started, had long been considered a contender for the post. That was even before the Israeli strike killed his father, and despite never being elected or appointed to a government position.