Dubai news highlights: Explosions near Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi; one missile and 6 drones hit UAE

Israeli media is reporting that a series of powerful explosions have been heard in central Israel as defence systems intercepted missiles launched from Iran.

Iran has said that it has launched further drone attacks against US forces at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Dubai being heavily targeted is forcing the Emiratis and other Gulf states into a dilemma: Should they respond in kind, in effect joining the US-Israeli attack on Iran? Or should they sit back and take it? That’s not an easy choice.

The UAE’s Defence Ministry is saying that one missile and six drones fell inside the country.

Earlier, Abu Dhabi’s media office said six people were injured by falling debris from drones that were intercepted by air defence systems over Abu Dhabi.

Dubai news LIVE: As the US-Israel and Iran conflict enters its sixth day, Iran has stated that over 1,200 people have been killed. As per the latest death toll, a total of 1,230 people have been killed across Iran due to the joint US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Dubai news LIVE: The United Arab Emirates has intercepted over 1,000 Iranian drones since the start of the conflict in West Asia. In a statement issued by the country's defence ministry, since the start of the conflict on February 28, the UAE said it intercepted 1071 drones, of which 1001 of them were intercepted, while 71 drones fell in the country's territory.

On Thursday, UAE air defences intercepted 131 drones, of which six fell within the country's territory. Seven ballistic missiles were also intercepted, of which one fell on UAE territory.

Dubai news LIVE: The UAE defence ministry on Thursday said it intercepted 6 ballistic missiles and 125 drones.

Dubai news LIVE: Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) on Thursday announced it is offering free 15GB data and unlimited outgoing calls to UAE residents who are stranded outside the country due to flight suspensions.

As per Khaleej Times, the UAE’s second telecom operator sent message sent out to its customers in the UAE, saying it has activated a free 15GB roaming data bundle for its customers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with unlimited outgoing calls and 500 incoming minutes.

This special offer is valid for three days, starting Thursday

Dubai news LIVE: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK has advised British nationals against all non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates. This travel advisory comes amid the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel and Iran.

“Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption. Stay away from areas around security or military facilities. Follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information,” states FCDO.

Dubai news LIVE: A man from India's Telangana suffered minor injuries after the attack by Iran near the Abu Dhabi airport.

Speaking to news agency PTI, N Rajeswara Rao, a native of Pothireddypalle village in Rajanna Sircilla district, was injured in the incident.

Rao, who works in the housekeeping section at the airport, informed his parents that he and several others escaped with minor injuries.

"My son has been working there for a year. He works at the airport. He sustained injuries in the attack. He spoke to us over a video call, but he is not showing us the injuries. I want my son to return home soon," Prabhakar Rao told PTI Videos.

Dubai news LIVE: in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, India has issued a fresh advisory for nationals stranded in the United Arab Emirates.

In this notice, Indian nationals have been advised to reach out to Indian and UAE airlines that are carrying out limited operations to evacuate passengers out of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other UAE city.

Furthermore, fines for expired visas and those overstaying in the UAE from February 28, 2026, onwards, have been waived off.

Dubai news LIVE updates: Abu Dhabi has stated at least six people have been injured due to the fall of shrapnel at two sites in the Ikad 2 area, following the successful interception by air defenses of a drone.

"We urge the public to obtain information from official sources only, and to avoid circulating rumors or unverified information, authorities said.

Dubai news LIVE updates: Iran has not approached Russia with a request for arms supplies, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

Asked by a reporter on Thursday whether Russia intends to provide material help to Iran, including arms deliveries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters:

“In this case, there were no requests from the Iranian side. Our consistent position is well known to everyone, and there have been no changes in this regard.”

(via Reuters)

Dubai news LIVE updates: France, on Thursday, has allowed US aircraft on some of its bases in the Middle East during the conflict with Iran.

"As part of our relations with the United States, the presence of their aircraft has been temporarily authorised on our bases" in the region, a spokeswoman for the military general staff told AFP.

"These aircraft contribute to the protection of our partners in the Gulf."

Dubai news LIVE updates: UK defence minister John Healey arrived in Cyprus on Thursday, following a drone strike on a UK air base on the Mediterranean island.

In a statement, Healey said he held a meeting with his counterpart in Cyprus. The two leader discussed how the UK can further “reinforce air defences to support shared security.”

Dubai news LIVE updates: Passengers arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport from Dubai on Thursday described contrasting situations in the UAE.

Speaking to ANI, passenger Rahul Saxena, who arrived at IGI Airport from Dubai, said there is a situation of panic in the region.

"There is a situation of panic there. The sooner the government evacuates everyone, the better," Saxena said.

However, another passenger, Gautam Gupta, who arrived in Delhi from Dubai, said everything is normal in Dubai and they did not face any difficulties.

"Everything is normal in Dubai. We did not face any difficulties. The prices of the flights have increased," Gupta said.

Dubai news LIVE updates: Amid the airspace restrictions, Emirates as states it will operate over 100 flights to and from Dubai. These flights are scheduled for March 5 and 6.

Dubai news LIVE updates: Qatar has stated it was subject to missile attacks on Thursday. A statement from the country's defence ministry said its air defence systems have been activated and are intercepting the attack.

This confirmation comes after columns of black smoke were seen in the Qatari capital Doha.

A column of black smoke is being seen on Doha's horizon following explosions, AFP reported, citing its journalists.

Doha has been a target of Iranian strikes since the conflict triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran spilt into the Middle East region.

Dubai news LIVE updates: Amid the airspace restrictions in the wake of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, 40 flights have been cancelled at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in India's Delhi on Thursday.

Additionally, three repatriation flights have been planned for the day.

Another round of explosions were heard over the Qatar's capital, Doha, on Thursday, AFP reported, citing its journalists.

Earlier, explosions were reportedly heard in Doha and Bahrain's Manama.

Dubai news LIVE updates: As many as 30 flights have been cancelled at the Bengaluru airport in India's Karnataka on Thursday amid continued airspace restrictions triggered by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

Fourteen arrivals and 16 departures have been cancelled in Bengaluru.

Dubai news LIVE updates: After the sinking of an Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, in the Indian Ocean, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly claimed that it had struck an American oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf.

Iran's Mehr news agency reported an IRGC statement which claimed that the Iranian Navy struck the US oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf early on Thursday, setting it on fire.

Dubai news LIVE updates: Amid the ongoing US-Iran tensions and the wider conflict in West Asia, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that New Delhi believes in the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy.

He affirmed that military conflict is not the resolution to any issue.

"India and Finland believe in rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. Only military conflict cannot solve any issue, whether it is Ukraine or West Asia. We are both convinced that global institutions need urgent reform,” PM Modi said during a joint presser with the President of Finland in New Delhi.

In its latest security alert updates, the US State Department said that a Level 3 alert -- "Reconsider Travel" remains in place in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, a Level 4 security alert -- "Do not travel" is in place in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen.