Iranian missiles and drones struck targets across the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, March 2, 2026, disrupting air travel and raising concerns about the region’s stability, according to reports from multiple news agencies.
The attacks, which targeted locations in Dubai and Sharjah City, came in retaliation for recent joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader. While Israel has not officially commented on the strikes, Iran’s response involved hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones directed not only at Israel but also at several of its Persian Gulf neighbors, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Flightradar24 data showed a wide corridor of airspace over the Middle East remaining closed on Monday, with skies over the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, and Iraq nearly empty.
Dubai International Airport, a major global transit hub, suspended all flights until Monday afternoon local time, with Fly Dubai resuming a limited schedule shortly thereafter. The closures have stranded thousands of travelers and caused widespread disruption to international air travel. Emirates airline also suspended flights, impacting millions of passengers who typically transit through Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The UAE cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi were specifically targeted due to their hosting of US military bases, according to analysis of the situation.
Despite none of the Gulf states officially coordinating with the US and Israel in the initial operations against Iran, the Iranian government appears to be deliberately targeting them to exact costs and destabilize the region. The strikes against the UAE are particularly notable, as despite simmering tensions, Iran had not previously engaged in direct military confrontation with the country. Saudi Arabia and Iran have been engaged in a proxy war over Yemen for over a decade, and Iran has historically claimed ownership over Bahrain.
The attacks have shaken Dubai’s image as a safe and stable haven for foreigners, a reputation carefully cultivated to attract tourism and investment. Images circulated showing plumes of smoke rising from a warehouse in the industrial area of Sharjah City, and deserted roads in Downtown Dubai. The disruption to air travel has left passengers stranded in airport parking lots awaiting assistance.
Morocco has publicly expressed its solidarity with the Gulf countries targeted by the Iranian strikes. The attacks are occurring against a backdrop of existing security guarantees provided by the US to many of the Gulf states, and the presence of US military bases within the region. Iran views these bases as strategically valuable targets within range of its ballistic missiles.
As of Monday, March 3, 2026, Emirates had planned to resume a incredibly limited number of flights, while Fly Dubai also announced a partial resumption of services. Jordan has partially closed its airspace until further notice. The long-term impact on regional stability and air travel remains uncertain.
