Blasts Rock Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi After Iran Launches Missiles Amid Middle East Escalation
Blasts Rock Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi After Iran Launches Missiles Amid Middle East Escalation
February 28, 2026
Explosions were reported across parts of the Middle East on Saturday, with loud blasts heard in Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, following missile launches by Iran after recent strikes by Israel and the United States.
Witnesses in Abu Dhabi told news agencies that multiple loud booms were heard across the city, with several residents reporting windows shaking in nearby buildings. One resident said at least five explosions were heard in quick succession near the Corniche area.
Reports said the United Arab Emirates successfully intercepted Iranian missiles using its air defence systems. According to international agencies, one person was killed in Abu Dhabi during the incident.
A loud blast was also reported in Dubai, although the exact cause of the explosion there had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
In Saudi Arabia, multiple explosions were heard in and around the capital Riyadh. Journalists on the ground reported a series of loud bangs following Iran’s announcement of retaliation against the US and Israeli strikes.
Earlier in the day, the UAE temporarily closed its airspace as a precautionary measure after military action against Iran intensified. Kuwait also activated its air defence systems to counter incoming threats.
In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country had come under attack from Iranian ballistic missiles, adding that air defence units responded effectively and intercepted several of them. The UAE government described the incident as a “dangerous escalation” and stated that it reserves the full right to respond.
The rapidly unfolding developments have raised serious regional security concerns, as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East, with multiple countries now directly affected by the widening conflict.
