A drone believed to have originated from Iran struck an area close to Dubai International Airport early Monday, sparking a major fire and prompting authorities to suspend flight operations temporarily.
Videos widely shared on social media showed a large blaze and thick smoke rising into the sky after an aerial object, reportedly a drone, hit a fuel tank near the airport. Residents in several parts of Dubai reported hearing loud explosions around the same time, with some witnessing flames and smoke near the airport complex.
Officials from the Dubai Media Office confirmed that a drone-related incident caused the fire in the vicinity of the airport. Emergency responders and specialised teams were quickly deployed to the scene, while Civil Defence personnel worked to bring the blaze under control. Authorities said no injuries had been reported.
In response to the incident, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority temporarily suspended flight operations at the airport as a precaution to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Travellers were advised to check with their respective airlines for updates on their flights.
According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, several inbound flights were held off from landing during the disruption. At least five flights heading to Dubai from cities including Karachi, Kathmandu, Hanoi, Asmara and Amman were delayed.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, which began on February 28. The war erupted after US and Israeli strikes inside Iran killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and severely damaged key military and government infrastructure.
Since then, Iran has carried out a series of retaliatory attacks targeting American bases and interests across the region. Gulf countries have reported more than 2,000 missile and drone strikes during the conflict, hitting oil facilities, ports, airports, hotels and residential buildings.
Shortly before the latest incident, Iranian authorities warned civilians in parts of Dubai and Doha to evacuate certain areas, saying those locations could be targeted within hours.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed Tehran had evidence that US bases in the region were used to launch attacks on Iran, including strikes targeting Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub. Iran has also accused the United Arab Emirates of allowing American forces to use its ports and facilities for military operations, although officials have not presented public evidence to support the claim.
The conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance entered its third week on Sunday, with security concerns rising across the Gulf region.
