Is Dubai Under Attack: Day 4 Update — Burj Al Arab Hit, Dubai Airport Partially Reopens, US Navy 5th Fleet Bahrain Base Damaged as Iran's Gulf Bombardment Continues

The UAE is waking up to its fourth consecutive day under fire. Iranian drones and ballistic missiles struck the Burj Al Arab hotel, ignited a blaze at the Fairmont Palm Dubai on Palm Jumeirah, damaged Dubai International Airport, and hammered the US Navy 5th Fleet Bahrain naval base — with more than 12,300 flights cancelled across the region since February 28. As of Tuesday, March 3, 2026 ET, a partial and fragile resumption of flights at Dubai International Airport is underway, but the situation across the UAE, Bahrain, and Riyadh Saudi Arabia remains deeply volatile.

Is Dubai Under Attack: What Iran Has Fired at the UAE

A total of 708 projectiles were fired at the UAE, including 152 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 506 drones intercepted, with 35 falling on various UAE territories causing material damage across the country.

In Dubai, the Burj Al Arab hotel was struck and a fire broke out in the building. People were evacuated but returned shortly after as the fire was brought under control. Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub for international traffic, was also hit by a drone, prompting a full evacuation. A second attack struck the airport in the early hours of Sunday morning, with thick black smoke rising over the city. In Abu Dhabi, Zayed International Airport was also hit, resulting in one fatality and seven serious injuries.

Four people were injured in a fire at Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island famous for its luxury hotels, resorts, and attractions, after debris ignited a blaze at the Fairmont Palm Dubai. Eyewitnesses on the ground described watching interception explosions light up the Dubai skyline throughout both Saturday and Sunday nights.

Burj Al Arab and Fairmont Palm Dubai: The Hotels at the Center of the Crisis

On Saturday, Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones across the UAE, with fires and smoke reaching the Dubai landmarks of Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab. The fires at both hotels were extinguished by emergency crews, but the visual damage to Dubai's most iconic luxury corridor has been severe and lasting.

Eyewitness Mike Leventhal, speaking from inside Dubai, confirmed that two additional hotels beyond the Burj Al Arab also sustained debris hits that caused fires — both extinguished quickly. He noted that none of these were direct hits, but rather consequences of Iran's saturation drone and missile barrage overwhelming the city's air defense systems at the margins.

Locals in Dubai expressed shock that Iran would target the city, given that Dubai hosts no military bases — those are located in the Abu Dhabi region. The UAE government has remained in a strictly defensive posture, activating air defenses while simultaneously attempting back-channel diplomacy with Tehran to halt further attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Dubai International Airport: 12,300 Flights Cancelled, Partial Reopening Underway

Flight cancellations across seven major Middle East airports — Dubai International, Hamad International in Doha, Zayed International in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah International, Kuwait International, Bahrain International, and Dubai World Central — have now exceeded 12,300 flights from February 28 through March 3. Around 20,200 passengers have been affected by cancellations or rescheduling in the UAE alone.

UAE carriers Emirates, Etihad, and flydubai have gradually resumed limited services starting the evening of March 2, with Dubai International Airport confirming a small number of flights would be permitted to operate under a carefully controlled schedule.

Emirates has suspended all Dubai flights until 3:00 p.m. UAE time on Tuesday, March 3, allowing passengers to rebook within 20 days or request a full refund. Etihad has similarly suspended Abu Dhabi operations until 2:00 p.m. UAE time Tuesday, while flydubai remains grounded through the same cutoff.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has extended its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin through March 6, citing a high risk to commercial aviation across Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

US Navy 5th Fleet Bahrain Naval Base: Evacuated, Personnel Relocated

Iranian missiles targeted the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain's Juffair area. Bahrain's Ministry of Interior also confirmed that the country's international airport was targeted with a drone, resulting in material damage without loss of life. On Monday, the US military confirmed its death toll from the conflict has risen to six, after two bodies were recovered from a regional facility struck by Iran.

The US Embassy in Bahrain warned that terrorist groups and individuals inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking US citizens abroad, advising Americans in Bahrain to avoid hotels in Manama — which it said could be potential targets. At least one person has been killed in Kuwait, three in the UAE, and 16 injured in Qatar across the span of Iranian strikes.

Nasdaq Dubai has been closed effective Monday, March 2, and Tuesday, March 3, 2026, by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The DFSA said it is closely monitoring developments and remains in regular contact with local authorities.

Bahrain Country Condemns Attacks, Gulf States Reserve Right to Respond

The US, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE issued a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks across the region and affirming their right to self-defense, stating that Gulf countries will take all necessary measures to defend their security and protect their territories, citizens, and residents — including the option of responding to aggression.

Defense analyst Ali Bakir, a professor at Qatar University, described the conflict as exposing structural vulnerabilities across the Gulf: despite decades of heavy defense spending, Gulf states remain highly exposed to missile and drone warfare at scale. Air defense systems can intercept, but not at scale or at low cost. Saturation attacks remain a serious concern, and collective coordination among Gulf states remains limited at best.

Senior analyst Ryan Bohl at the RANE Network warned that if Iranian attacks continue throughout the week, Gulf Arab states including the UAE and Saudi Arabia may eventually participate in counter-attacks on Iran. "They need to restore some kind of deterrence against the Iranians and sitting passively by and using up their air defenses won't accomplish that," he said.

UAE Covers Hotel Costs for Stranded Travelers as Global Travel Advice Hardens

The UAE's Department of Culture and Tourism has sent notices to hotels requesting them to extend the stay of passengers unable to travel for reasons beyond their control, with the government covering food and accommodation costs for tens of thousands of stranded travelers.

Australia has warned citizens to avoid all travel to Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen. Canada has issued identical guidance for Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the UAE. The US State Department has issued a global security alert urging all Americans abroad to exercise extreme caution and follow guidance from the nearest US Embassy. For now, Dubai's skies remain fractured, the Burj Al Arab stands scarred, and the US Navy 5th Fleet Bahrain base is on high alert — with no clear end to the conflict yet in sight.