Dubai, Abu Dhabi News highlights: UAE rejects Iran's claim on Kharg Island attack, Fujairah partially shuts operations

Dubai, Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defenses.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi news highlights: Iran on Saturday issued an evacuation warning for three major ports in the United Arab Emirates, including the busiest in the Middle East, as the conflict with the US and Israel entered its third week. Though there was no sign of an attack on Dubai's Jebel Ali port or the Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi, but a fire incident was reported in Fujairah port caused by debris from an intercepted Iranian drone hitting an oil facility.

The disaster management authorities of the United Arab Emirates urged citizens to keep safe distance from any debris or fallen objects as they could be dangerous. This comes after debris from aerial interception caused damage to a few buildings in Dubai on Thursday and Friday.

“Maintain a safe distance from debris or any fallen objects, and if you spot anything like that, report it immediately. Your safety is important to us,” the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in the UAE posted on X.

Oil loading operations at UAE's Fujairah port

Some oil loading operations at the UAE’s Fujairah port, located outside the Strait of Hormuz, were suspended after a drone attack and fire on Saturday morning, Bloomberg News reported.

Air Canada suspended Toronto-Dubai flight

Meanwhile, Air Canada has suspended its Toronto–Dubai flight operations until May 1 amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The airline said services will resume gradually once safe passage for flights is ensured.

A building in Dubai’s financial district was hit by debris from an intercepted aerial attack on Friday, AFP reported, days after companies began evacuating the area amid Iranian threats to target US- and Israeli-linked economic interests.

The Dubai Media Office said an incident caused by debris from an interception that struck the façade of a building in central Dubai has been contained. No fire broke out and no injuries were reported.

45 people arrested in Abu Dhabi

Police in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi said on Saturday that 45 people, including several foreigners, had been arrested for allegedly spreading misinformation and filming and sharing locations of incidents online as Iran continued its strikes across the Gulf.

A day after twin drone incidents, blasts were heard and smoke was seen rising in central Dubai on Friday. Authorities later said an aerial threat had been successfully intercepted, and that falling debris caused minor damage to the facade of a building in the city centre. Officials did not specify whether the intercepted object was a missile or a drone.

Meanwhile, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain hours after a large fire broke out near the airport following Iranian drone strikes on fuel tanks. As the sirens rang out across the country, the interior ministry urged residents to take shelter and remain calm.

The incidents come as tensions in the region continue to rise, with the US–Iran war entering its second week.

10 people arrested in UAE

The UAE has ordered the arrest of 10 people for publishing videos showing the country’s air defence systems intercepting aerial attacks, as well as sharing fabricated clips of explosions and strikes, state media reported.

Authorities said the individuals circulated both real footage of the attacks and AI-generated videos and images online, claiming they were from locations in the UAE.

The suspects have been referred for an expedited trial, the report added.

The development comes a week after a 60-year-old British man was charged under Dubai’s cybercrime laws for allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city.

What is happening in Dubai-UAE?

• Air Canada suspends Toronto–Dubai flights till May 1 amid West Asia tensions.

• Debris from intercepted aerial attack hits Dubai building; authorities say incident contained, no injuries.

• Blasts and smoke reported in central Dubai; officials say aerial threat intercepted.

• Abu Dhabi police arrest 45 people for filming incidents and spreading misinformation online.

• Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain after fire near airport following Iranian drone strikes.

• UAE orders arrest of 10 people for sharing real and AI-generated attack videos online.

• British man charged under Dubai cybercrime law for filming Iranian missiles over the city.

• Tensions rise as the US–Iran war enters its second week.