Drone strike sparks fire near Dubai International Airport amid escalating Gulf attacks

Dubai— Authorities in Dubai said on Monday they were responding to a fire caused by a drone strike in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, as regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran continued to escalate.

The Dubai Media Office said emergency services were dealing with the blaze after what it described as a “drone-related incident” near the airport. In a post on X, the office said authorities were taking necessary steps to secure the area and ensure public safety.

Videos circulating on social media showed a large column of smoke rising from the area near the airport, though officials did not immediately report casualties or provide details on the extent of the damage.

The attack occurred hours after Iran issued warnings calling for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates, signaling an expansion of threats to infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states.

Iranian officials accused the United States of using facilities in the UAE, including ports and docking areas, to launch strikes against Kharg Island, which hosts Iran’s primary oil export terminal.

Tehran did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

The drone strike comes amid an intensifying regional confrontation following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28.Officials say Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since the conflict began, targeting U.S. diplomatic facilities, military bases and key civilian infrastructure including oil installations, ports, airports and commercial areas.

The UAE, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, has experienced a significant share of the attacks, though governments across the Gulf have reported incidents and have condemned Iran over the strikes.