Dubai sends missile threat alert to residents as UAE intercepts drones and missiles

UAE says its air defences intercepted missiles and drones as Iran’s retaliatory strikes expand across Gulf states including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

• Dubai residents get missile threat alerts amid regional conflict
• UAE intercepted six missiles and 131 drones on Thursday
• Attacks disrupt aviation, stranding tourists with flight cancellations

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Residents of Dubai received mobile alerts warning of a potential missile threat on Friday afternoon as the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its seventh day and continued to spill across the Gulf region.

The alert came as regional authorities remained on high security watch following a series of drone and missile attacks linked to Iran’s retaliation after joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran last weekend.

Just got the alert../ stay safe everyone #IranWar#dubai#uaepic.twitter.com/so0RcHtcGw

— UAE Updates (@fun2pun) March 6, 2026

The United Arab Emirates reported that its territory was targeted by a ballistic missile and six drones on Thursday. According to the UAE’s defence ministry, air defence systems intercepted six missiles and 131 drones during the same day.

Explosions were also heard near Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Reuters reported, citing a witness. Earlier reports indicated that parts of the international airport and several hotels in Dubai sustained damage during the attacks.

The continuing security alerts and disruptions have also affected civilian aviation across the region. Several tourists have been stranded in the UAE following widespread flight cancellations and delays triggered by the escalating conflict.

The UAE is not the only Gulf country affected. Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait have also reported incidents in recent days as Iran attempted to target US military bases and diplomatic facilities in the region as part of its retaliatory campaign.

Amid the rising tensions, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum held a phone call late Thursday with Saudi Arabia’s defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

According to reports, the two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and the “blatant attacks” that the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have faced since Iran launched its retaliatory strikes following the US-Israeli operation against Tehran.

Kuwait also activated its air defence systems after several missiles and drones entered its airspace on Thursday evening. The Kuwaiti army said that the sounds heard across parts of the country were caused by air defence systems intercepting incoming missiles and drones.

The latest alerts in Dubai highlight how the conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran and has since triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran, is now affecting multiple Gulf states that host US military facilities and major commercial aviation hubs.