UAE sends emergency missile alert as Dubai intercepts Iranian strike, loud explosions heard

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Several loud explosions were heard in Dubai as its air defence system responded to "incoming missile and drone threats from Iran” early on Wednesday.

Burning debris from intercepted missiles was seen falling over parts of Dubai on Wednesday. Witness videos showed interceptor missiles launching into the sky, followed by fragments of debris raining down near the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The fresh strikes come as Tehran launched a barrage of missile and drones at Israel and Gulf states. The US embassy was also targeted in Baghdad.

تتعامل حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية مع اعتداءات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة قادمة من إيران وتؤكد وزارة الدفاع أن الأصوات المسموعة في مناطق متفرقة من الدولة هي نتيجة اعتراض كل من منظومات الدفاع الجوي للصواريخ البالستية، والمقاتلات للطائرات المسيرة والجوالة. UAE air defences are… pic.twitter.com/uNLpE0KgNr

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 17, 2026

As Iran launched fresh strikes, residents across the UAE received an emergency alert warning of a potential missile threat and urging people to immediately seek safety. Within minutes confusion turned into concern as loud sounds echoed across parts of Dubai, prompting widespread speculation.

WATCH: Massive air defense interceptions filmed over Dubai tonight following a wave of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting the UAE. pic.twitter.com/FeIDEtMu70 — Conflict Alarm (@ConflictAlarm) March 17, 2026

Dubai authorities stepped in and clarified that the sounds were not explosions from impact but the result of successful air defence interception operations, according to a report by The Times of India.

The Dubai authorities said the air defences were “responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran”. It added that the country has been the target of over 2,000 Iranian drones and missiles since the start of the war.

UAE reopened its airspace after authorities temporarily closed it as a precautionary measure, Gulf News cited the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) as saying.