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Dubai authorities confirm injuries as hotel is 'hit by missile debris' after Iran retaliates to US and Israeli strikes
Iran has unleashed a sweeping wave of retaliatory missile strikes across the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes aimed at regime officials and military targets.
In scenes that underscore just how quickly the conflict has escalated, Iran struck a US Navy base in Bahrain on Saturday and fired off ballistic missiles at four other countries across the region.
Explosions were heard from the beaches of Dubai to the streets of Doha, marking a level of coordinated regional retaliation not seen before.
The dramatic escalation follows the US and Israeli daylight assault dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” a move intended to cripple Iran’s military capabilities after the regime refused to agree to a deal dismantling its nuclear program.
Iran strikes US Navy base in Bahrain as regional explosions erupt
A massive explosion could be seen close to the base on the Persian Gulf island nation associated with the US Fifth Fleet in video obtained by The New York Post.
The footage, taken from a vehicle passing by the area, shows a cloud of dark smoke blasting into the sky after the explosion. Shrapnel appears to fly in all directions as the blast tears through the scene.
“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” the passengers can be heard shouting.
It was not immediately clear what impact the strike had on the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet, the naval command overseeing the US Navy’s Middle East operations. Initial reports suggest there are no US casualties in Bahrain.
At the same time, Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting Israeli and US military bases across Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Dubai Targeted
Smoke billowed over one of Dubai’s most iconic neighborhoods after what officials described only as “an incident” in the upscale Palm Jumeirah area, as tensions across the region continue to surge, per BBC News.
The development came shortly after Iranian state media claimed an attack had been launched on Dubai, fueling confusion and alarm.
An eyewitness image circulating online showed thick smoke rising into the sky, prompting urgent questions about what had happened in the luxury waterfront district.
In a statement, the government of Dubai’s Media Office said “an incident occurred in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area”.
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. Authorities confirmed that the resulting fire is now “under control”.
Four people were injured in the incident and have been taken to hospital, according to the Media Office. No further details about their condition have been released.
The official confirmation followed earlier eyewitness reports that showed smoke in the area. The reports surfaced after Iranian state media said an attack had been launched on Dubai.
It remains unclear exactly what Iran may have been targeting. However, there is a US military presence in the country, adding another layer of uncertainty to the unfolding situation.
Palm Jumeirah is known for its luxury hotels and man-made design.
The incident occurred in Palm Jumeirah, a man-made archipelago that has become synonymous with luxury living and high-end tourism.
The palm-shaped development is home to some of Dubai’s most famous hotels and upscale residences, making any disruption in the area especially high profile.
Middle East missile barrage targets US bases in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan
The scale and speed of the strikes suggest Tehran is acting with urgency. It remains unclear whether the explosions heard across the region were missiles being intercepted or direct hits on their targets.
What appears evident is that the Iranian regime sees this as an existential moment.
When the United States and Israel previously struck Iran in June, they targeted the regime’s stockpile of ballistic missiles, limiting its ability to respond. Iran could now be attempting to use as much of its remaining arsenal as possible while it still can.
The United Arab Emirates military said it intercepted three waves of ballistic missiles from Tehran. However, debris from one of the intercepted waves fell across several areas in Abu Dhabi, according to the country’s Ministry of Defence in a statement shared on X.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the strike, calling it a “flagrant violation” of national sovereignty in a statement posted to X. The statement added that Qatar has been the “among the foremost advocates of dialogue with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
In Kuwait, the Ministry of Defense announced it had successfully intercepted “a number of ballistic missiles” launched at Ali Al-Salem Air Base, according to Stars and Stripes. The base, which hosts both American and other international forces, reportedly sustained extensive damage to its runway.
The Kingdom of Jordan reportedly downed two missiles, according to Reuters.