The US and Israel have begun a war with the apparent aim of toppling Iran’s regime – and we are beginning to learn the consequences.
There were threats and grave warnings of retaliation and regional conflict. American military assets in the region were described as legitimate targets. Iran has now acted on those warnings.
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In scenes few imagined possible, people were filmed running for shelter in Dubai as air raid sirens sounded. At least three big blasts have been heard over the city, witnesses told Reuters.
A fire broke out near the entrance of Fairmont The Palm hotel in Dubai, after debris reportedly fell from the sky during an Iranian missile attack.
Photos on social media and videos verified by Sky News showed a large blaze and smoke rising from outside the building.
Dubai’s media office has said emergency response teams have responded to an “incident” in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area, but did not give more details.
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According to the Tui website, it is a luxury hotel with gourmet dining options, an award-winning spa, and pools with city views.
A series of explosions were also heard in Abu Dhabi, with the defence ministry confirming one person was killed by falling debris in a residential area after the UAE “successfully” intercepted Iranian missiles.
In a statement, the nation’s defence ministry “affirmed its full readiness and preparedness to deal with any threats, stressing that all necessary measures are being taken to firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country’s security and stability”.
“The kids are terrified”, one Abu Dhabi resident messaged me after the sound of explosions. This was followed by a second wave of missiles seen flying over the residential area of Dubai, where I live.
The UAE’s airspace is currently closed as a precautionary measure, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority.
Multiple airlines have cancelled flights serving Abu Dhabi and Dubai; the latter is the world’s busiest travel hub, and handled nearly 100 million passengers last year.
If you look at Flight Radar, the airspace is empty in neighbouring countries too. Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain have all reported deploying air defences to shoot down incoming Iranian missiles.
Flights have been turned around mid-air, and packed airliners bound for Qatar were turned around on the tarmac at Heathrow and returned to the terminal.
The British Embassy in the UAE posted travel advice to British nationals: “We are aware of missiles flying over the United Arab Emirates… British nationals are advised to shelter in place.”
The advice is to remain indoors or in a safe place and to stay away from windows.
Around 240,000 British citizens live in the UAE. The sense of safety, one of the great draws for people living here, has been shattered today.
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The country is also home to an estimated half a million Iranian citizens, many of whom are full of fear and emotion today.
We have no idea what this moment means for Iran or for the region. But people here are desperately hoping America knows what it’s doing.
