Updated: March 18, 2026 7:37:37 am IST
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: A view of the Dubai skyline, with Burj Khalifa visible at the centre, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Loud explosions were heard across Dubai early Wednesday as Iran continued retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf countries, as well as fresh bombardments of missiles and drones targeting Israel and the region. Officials in Dubai said air defense systems were activated in response to incoming Iranian missile and drone threats, and said the UAE had faced more than 2,000 such attacks since the conflict began.
Several loud explosions were reported in Baghdad on Tuesday evening, as a security official confirmed a drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy, AFP reported.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward al-Kharj, whose debris fell near Prince Sultan Air Base, which is home to US personnel, without causing any damage, as Iran continued attacks on the Gulf nation.
UAE’s reaction to Iran attack
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held multiple talks with foreign ministers and senior officials to discuss growing regional developments and the fallout from Iran’s missile attacks targeting the UAE and other countries.
Anwar Gargash, a senior adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, has said that Iran is wrong in its attacks on the UAE and other Gulf countries, warning that the attacks are bringing the region closer to Israel and the United States.
Gargash said the UAE is playing a role alongside the US in securing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“I can see us playing a role with other countries in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz,” Gargash told Bloomberg. “It’s not only the responsibility of the United States, but also the responsibility of the countries in Asia, the countries in the region, the countries in Europe,” he said.
US attacks Iran’s missile sites near Hormuz
The United States said it struck Iranian missile sites near the strategic Strait of Hormuz after Tehran fired missiles across the region, vowing to avenge the killing of a top security chief, AFP reports.
The latest attack killed two people in Israel, although its air defenses have largely limited the number of casualties since the conflict escalated.
Amid moves by Iran to largely shut down the vital oil corridor that handles a fifth of global supply, the US said it had deployed some of its heaviest bunker-busting bombs to target nearby missile facilities.
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Several loud explosions were reported in Baghdad on Tuesday evening, as a security official confirmed a drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy, AFP reported.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward al-Kharj, whose debris fell near Prince Sultan Air Base, which is home to US personnel, without causing any damage, as Iran continued attacks on the Gulf nation.
UAE’s reaction to Iran attack
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held multiple talks with foreign ministers and senior officials to discuss growing regional developments and the fallout from Iran’s missile attacks targeting the UAE and other countries.
Anwar Gargash, a senior adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, has said that Iran is wrong in its attacks on the UAE and other Gulf countries, warning that the attacks are bringing the region closer to Israel and the United States.
Gargash said the UAE is playing a role alongside the US in securing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“I can see us playing a role with other countries in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz,” Gargash told Bloomberg. “It’s not only the responsibility of the United States, but also the responsibility of the countries in Asia, the countries in the region, the countries in Europe,” he said.
US attacks Iran’s missile sites near Hormuz
The United States said it struck Iranian missile sites near the strategic Strait of Hormuz after Tehran fired missiles across the region, vowing to avenge the killing of a top security chief, AFP reports.
The latest attack killed two people in Israel, although its air defenses have largely limited the number of casualties since the conflict escalated.
Amid moves by Iran to largely shut down the vital oil corridor that handles a fifth of global supply, the US said it had deployed some of its heaviest bunker-busting bombs to target nearby missile facilities.
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March 18, 2026 7:37:34 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Projectile hits near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: A projectile landed in an area near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday evening but caused no damage or injuries, Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reuters reported.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog said it had been informed of the impact, and said there was no harm to the facility or staff. The incident occurred in the third week of the US-Israeli war over Iran.
March 18, 2026 7:34:05 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Iran army chief vows ‘decisive’ retaliation after Larijani killing
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami warned of a “decisive and regretful” response to the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike.
Hatami said in a statement that Iran’s retaliation for the killing of the Supreme National Security Council secretary would be harsh, as the Revolutionary Guards said they had fired missiles at central Israel “to avenge the blood of martyr Dr. Ali Larijani and his comrades.”
March 18, 2026 7:26:42 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Saudi intercepts missile near Prince Sultan base housing US forces
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards al-Kharj, whose debris fell near Prince Sultan Air Base, home to US personnel, causing no damage, as Iran continued attacks on the Gulf nation.
March 18, 2026 7:25:21 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: UAE Foreign Minister expresses condolences to victims of Iran’s ‘unprovoked terrorist attacks’
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his “deepest condolences and deepest sympathy” to the families of those killed in Iran’s “unprovoked terrorist attacks” targeting the UAE.
He said the victims, civilians from Palestine, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, lost their lives in the “blatant attacks” and wished a “speedy and full recovery” to all those injured.
March 18, 2026 7:22:28 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: US attacks Iran’s missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: The US said it struck Iranian missile sites near the strategic Strait of Hormuz after Tehran vowed to avenge the killing of a top security chief, AFP reported.
The latest attack killed two people in Israel, although its air defenses have largely limited the number of casualties since the conflict escalated.
Amid moves by Iran to largely shut down the vital oil corridor that handles a fifth of global supply, the US said it had deployed some of its heaviest bunker-busting bombs to target nearby missile facilities.
March 18, 2026 7:19:39 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Israeli strikes hit central Beirut, six killed as strikes target Hezbollah areas
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Lebanon said at least six people were killed in two Israeli strikes on central Beirut early Wednesday, while local media reported additional raids on Hezbollah strongholds in the city’s southern suburbs, AFP reported.
One attack hit an apartment in the Zuqq al-Blatt neighborhood, an area previously targeted because of a financial company linked to Hezbollah. This densely populated district is located near government headquarters and several embassies.
March 18, 2026 7:18:23 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Saudi to host meeting of Arab, Islamic foreign ministers on regional security
DUBAI ABU DHABI NEWS LIVE: Saudi Arabia said it will host a consultative meeting of foreign ministers of several Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh on Wednesday evening to discuss efforts to support regional security and stability, Reuters reported.
March 18, 2026 7:16:11 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: What was behind closure of UAE airspace amid Iran missile, drone threats?
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday reopened its airspace, which was closed for about two hours by the military as a precautionary measure due to missile and drone threats from Iran.
Officials said the shutdown was imposed after a comprehensive assessment of security and operational conditions in coordination with concerned agencies. The General Civil Aviation Authority called it an “extraordinary precautionary measure” aimed at protecting flights, air crews and national airspace amid rapidly evolving regional tensions.
State-run WAM news agency reported that flights resumed shortly after authorities confirmed the situation was stable, adding that conditions were continuing to be monitored in real time to ensure aviation safety.
March 18, 2026 7:07:41 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Saudi Arabia shoots down ballistic missile near major US airbase, debris falls near Prince Sultan base
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile headed towards al-Kharj whose debris fell near Prince Sultan Air Base, home of US forces, causing no damage, according to the Saudi Arabian Defense Ministry.
March 18, 2026 7:00:20 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: PM Modi speaks to UAE President, condemns attacks and stresses security of Strait of Hormuz
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, extended advance Eid greetings and discussed the emerging situation in West Asia.
“My brother spoke to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and conveyed his advance Eid greetings. We discussed the current situation in West Asia. Reiterated India’s strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE, which have resulted in the loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure.
We agreed on the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
We will continue to work together for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region, PM Modi wrote on Twitter.
March 18, 2026 6:35:20 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: UAE Foreign Minister holds talks with global counterparts on Iran attacks
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, held a series of talks with foreign ministers and senior officials to discuss growing regional developments and the fallout from Iran’s missile attacks targeting the UAE and other countries.
According to Gulf News, he spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UNESCO Director General Khaled Al-Enani, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kosovo Gluck Konjufka, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
March 18, 2026 6:33:05 am First
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: UAE presidential adviser says Iran miscalculated, pushing Gulf closer to US, Israel
Dubai Abu Dhabi News Live: A senior adviser to the UAE President has said Iran is wrong in its attacks on the UAE and other Gulf countries, warning that the attacks are bringing the region closer to Israel and the United States.
Anwar Gargash said the UAE is playing a role alongside the US in securing oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“I can see us playing a role with other countries in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz,” Gargash told Bloomberg. “It’s not only the responsibility of the United States, but also the responsibility of the countries in Asia, the countries in the region, the countries in Europe,” he said.
