Jebel Ali Port and Dubai International Airport Hit as Iran Expands Strikes Across the Gulf

In a dramatic escalation of regional conflict, Iranian forces have launched a widespread series of missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, striking or triggering damage in several major civilian and commercial hubs including Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar.

The strikes come after a joint United States-Israel aerial assault on Iran that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, prompting Tehran to vow sweeping retaliation against US interests and allied states in the region.

In Dubai, authorities confirmed that debris from intercepted Iranian missiles triggered a fire at a berth at Jebel Ali Port, one of the region’s busiest logistics hubs. Emergency services responded quickly, and officials said the blaze was brought under control.

At Dubai International Airport (DXB), four people were reported injured and a concourse suffered minor structural damage after what authorities described as the result of falling fragments from air defenses engaging incoming missiles and drones.

The airport, a critical global travel hub, saw significant disruptions with flights delayed or cancelled as operations were temporarily suspended for safety checks.

Drone debris also sparked a small fire on the outer facade of the iconic Burj Al Arab, according to Dubai’s media office, although no fatalities were reported at the site.

Residents in some Dubai residential districts reported explosions and falling fragments, underlining the scale of the strikes beyond just military or strategic targets.

Qatari authorities said they intercepted dozens of missiles and drones in the Iranian barrage - over 60 missiles and more than 10 drones - but that some debris still caused eight injuries and material damage. Two missiles reportedly reached Al Udeid Air Base before being engaged.

Across the Gulf, several other countries also reported interceptions or impacts related to Iranian missiles or drones, including Bahrain, Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia, where air defenses engaged incoming threats.

Airspace closures were widely imposed, leading to widespread flight cancellations and travel chaos across regional airlines.

Regional governments have condemned the violence, and diplomatic efforts are under way amid fears the conflict could widen further. International leaders have called for restraint even as tensions remain high.

Independent reports cite airstrikes striking sensitive Iranian infrastructure and cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz. There are unverified claims that a girls’ school in Minab was hit in the bombardment, resulting in dozens of deaths and many more injured, according to Iranian authorities.

Read More: Flights Suspended Across the Gulf Region as Regional Conflict Escalates