West Asia conflict: Blasts heard, smoke seen over central Dubai

Workers inspect damage caused by a drone strike overnight at the Address Creek Harbour hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 12, 2026 | Photo Credit: AP

A building in central Dubai was hit by debris from an intercepted attack, the government media office said on Friday (March 13, 2026), after blasts shook the Middle East financial hub.

An AFP correspondent described hearing a huge double blast that rattled buildings and left a large cloud of black smoke hanging over a central district.

Dubai’s media office confirmed a building had been struck. The United Arab Emirates’ air defences have intercepted more than 1,500 Iranian drones and nearly 300 missiles during the Middle East war.

“Authorities confirmed that debris from a successful interception caused a minor incident on the facade of a building in central Dubai,” the media office posted on X, adding that no injuries were reported.

The latest incident comes after a drone fell near Dubai’s financial district on Thursday (March 12). Iran had threatened to hit economic institutions, prompting some companies to evacuate staff from the area.

The oil-rich UAE and other countries in the wealthy Gulf have come under constant Iranian fire since the war started on February 28.

Dubai’s airport, one of the world’s biggest, has been repeatedly targeted as well as its port and luxury real estate including the Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab hotel.

Israel-US strikes on Iran / West Asia / United Arab Emirates

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