Dubai news highlights: US issues evacuation advisory for stranded citizens in Gulf countries, Israel

UAE news LIVE updates: The US State Department has called for evacuation of its non-essential personnel from the US consulates in Pakistan.

“The State Department updated the Travel Advisory for Pakistan to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel from U.S. Consulates Lahore and Karachi,” reads the notice.

This notice comes days after a mob attack at the US consulate in Karachi killed at least 10 people

UAE news LIVE updates: Dubai Police has urged residents not to photograph or share images of security and critical infrastructure sites, reminding the public that “responsibility begins with compliance.”

In a post on X, the force warned that what may seem like “just a photo” could in fact reveal sensitive information. Authorities emphasised that protecting such locations is a national responsibility and plays an important role in keeping the community safe and secure.

Dubai’s Global Village announced it will remain closed on Wednesday, March 4 as a precautionary safety measure.

The UAE ministry of defence said that they had been thwarting regular attacks by Iran, and and already witnessed over 1,000 attacks since the US-Iran conflict began on Saturday.

UAE news LIVE updates: Israel’s defense minister on Wednesday threatened whoever Iran picks to be the country’s next supreme leader, saying he will be “a target for elimination.”

Israel Katz made the statement on X.

“Every leader appointed by the Iranian terror regime to continue and lead the plan to destroy Israel, to threaten the United States and the free world and the countries of the region, and to suppress the Iranian people — will be a target for elimination,” he wrote.

UAE news LIVE updates: As the US-Iran wr continues to rage, the UAE stock markets plunged on Wednesday. As per local reports, the DFM dropped 4.6% while ADX fell 2.8% in early trade.

This drop comes as UAE stock markets opened for the first time this week since the regional military conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran broke out on Saturday

UAE news LIVE updates: Iranian state media has reported that the farewell ceremony for Supreme Leader Khamenei will be held across three days. The ceremony is set to begin from 10pm local time at Tehran's Imama Khomeini Musallah.

UAE news LIVE updates: UAE's railway network, Etihad Rail, carried out an operation to bring back UAE residents stranded in Saudi Arabia.

"As part of national readiness efforts, Etihad Rail, in cooperation with the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre Abu Dhabi and the relevant authorities, operated three passenger train services on an exceptional basis to facilitate the return of UAE citizens and residents from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from Ghuweifat Station in Al Dhafrah Region to Al Faya Station in Abu Dhabi City," read the statement issued by Etihad rail.

UAE news LIVE updates: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a "defence swap" with Gulf states amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Speaking to reporters, the Ukrainian leader offered to exchange Ukraine’s drone interceptors for some of its PAC-3 air defence missiles.

UAE news LIVE updates: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that all personnel in the Dubai consulate have been accounted for. This statement from the top US diplomat comes after a drone targeted the US office in the UAE city.

UAE news LIVE updates: The US State Department has issued a Level 3 alert for the UAE as Iranian drone attacks continue.

In the latest update shared, the United Arab Emirates has been placed under a Level 3 security alert, which means American citizens should reconsider their travel to the country.

"We have increased Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to Level 3. Egypt remains at Level 2 reflecting that our overall assessment of the security situation there has not changed at this time," said the State Department.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: India has set up a special control room amid escalating conflict in West Asia. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the safety of 10 million Indians in the Gulf region is a priority.

Indians in the Gulf region can contact the control room from 9am to 9pm at the following numbers -

• 1800118797 - Toll Free
• +911123012113
• +911123014104
• +911123017905

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Iran Guards say have 'complete control' of Hormuz Strait

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday said that they control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and gas, and any vessels seeking to pass through the waterway risk damage from missiles or stray drones.

"Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the complete control of the Islamic Republic's Navy," said Guards Navy official Mohammad Akbarzadeh in a statement issued on Fars news agency.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Air India has extended its suspension of flight operations to and from the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Israel till 11:59 pm on Wednesday.

"We continue to closely monitor and assess the evolving developments in the region. A limited number of flights are being operated, with the highest priority accorded to the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew," the statement from the Indian airline added further.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Dubai Police have warned residents against spreading rumors, false information, or any content that contradicts official announcements.

"In light of current developments, photographing or sharing sensitive security sites, or promoting unreliable or fabricated information, is prohibited to safeguard national security and stability. Compliance reflects strong national awareness," read a statement issued by Dubai Police.

Police have added that the punishment for sharing rumours and false information would be a fine up to AED 200,000 (around ₹50 lakhs)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said on Wednesday it has intercepted and destroyed a drone in the country's Eastern Province.

The ministry is yet to provide further details on the drone's origin or whether the incident caused any damage or casualties.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Indian airline SpiceJet has announced eight special flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday to facilitate the return of Indian nationals stranded in the Gulf nation.

According to an official statement, all eight flights will operate from Fujairah. The airline will operate four special flights to New Delhi, three special flights to Mumbai and one special flight to Kochi, providing additional capacity to help stranded passengers return home at the earliest.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Bahrain's Ministry of Interior has alerted residents that the air raid siren has been sounded due to an incoming missile attack.

Residents have been urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned Iran for its drone strikes in civilian areas in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other UAE cities.

"We have called for Iran to cease these indiscriminate attacks immediately," Albanese told Parliament, adding that there was no justification for these attacks.

Dubai news LIVE: Passengers arriving at IGI Airport in India's capital city Delhi from Dubai on Wednesday shared their experiences of the recent unrest in parts of the Middle East amid the Iran-Israel conflict, noting that while administrative measures were effective, the sound of explosives had created a sense of unease.

"I was in Dubai for three days, so there were problems at some places, but the administration there managed everything well. Sounds of explosives were coming from some places, but there was not much problem...," ANI news agency quoted as saying a passenger who arrived at IGI Airport from Dubai.

Another passenger, at IGI Airport, while speaking to ANI, said, "I have just landed. There is an atmosphere of fear at the moment, but I think the people living in Dubai are not as scared as the people who had gone for a trip or for some work; it was difficult for them..."

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Lebanon’s National News Agency has reported that an Israeli airstrike has struck a hotel in Hazmieh near Beirut.

Local reports added that ambulances have been dispatched to the site.

Israel renewed its operations in Lebanon after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the missile strike towards Haifa after the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei.

In the past two days, around 55 people have been killed in Lebanon due to Israeli strikes and around 300 are injured.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Several Dubai-bound flights were HELD near UAE airspace on Tuesday after the country's defence ministry warned of a missile threat.

As per FlightRadar24, at least six flights to Dubai were asked to remain in the air by ATC due to Iran firing more missiles towards the United Arab Emirates.

This comes after airports in the UAE reopened for limited flight operations, with a primary focus to evacuate passengers stranded in the country due to the conflict between US-Israel and Iran.

Dubai news LIVE: As per the latest update from the US State Department, American citizens in the UAE have been asked to leave the Middle Eastern country through land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.

"We encourage Americans to consider departing the UAE if you believe you can do so safely. Some flights are now departing international airports in the UAE. Land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia are also open at this time, with reports of congestion," reads the notice issued by the US government.

"For those who cannot or choose not to depart, we recommend you shelter in place at their residence, hotel, or other structure, staying away from windows, and leaving only as necessary to obtain food, water, medications, and other essential items," the advisory added further.

Dubai news LIVE: In the wake of the Iranian attacks across the UAE, the US consulate in Dubai has cancelled all visa and consular appointments till March 4.

Following the attack on the US consulate, US government officials have urged American citizens to stay away from the embassy and seek shelter.

Dubai news LIVE: Iran’s Assembly of Experts has reportedly selected Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s next Supreme Leader.

The second son of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba, was born in Mashhad in 1969. He studied theology under the wing of his father and other influential teachers and became a cleric. He continues to teach theology at the Qom seminary now as well.