UAE intercepts 15 ballistic missiles and 119 drones as Tehran targets US military bases; Dubai airport briefly paralysed
The Gulf erupted in conflict on Saturday as Iran launched a sweeping wave of ballistic missiles and drones at US military installations across the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — marking one of the most significant escalations in the region in decades.
The UAE confirmed intercepting 15 ballistic missiles and 119 drones, with debris from one interception triggering a brief but chaotic shutdown of Dubai International Airport — the world’s busiest hub for international traffic. Explosions were reported in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Israel simultaneously struck 16 Iranian Revolutionary Guard aircraft at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport overnight, declaring the operation a precision dismantling of IRGC infrastructure. Iran’s Quds Force claimed responsibility for targeting Al Dhafra air base and other US positions across the Gulf.
President Trump warned Iran would be “hit very hard,” while Tehran vowed it would not surrender. The US State Department confirmed dozens of charter evacuation flights for American citizens stranded across the region.
Qatar Airways and Emirates faced repeated operational disruptions, with flights rerouted or suspended entirely as pilots reported refusing to share airspace with active missiles.
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