One killed and 11 injured at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports as Iran strikes region

Iran launched ballistic missile and drone strikes across the Gulf that led to intercepts and falling debris, killing one and injuring 11 at UAE airports, damaging ports and grounding thousands of flights. Authorities across the region reported widespread damage and ongoing security concerns.

Overview

One person has been killed and 11 injured at airports in the United Arab Emirates after Iran launched a series of ballistic missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, regional authorities said. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) were both affected when intercepts of incoming weapons produced falling debris and damage. Thousands of flights to and from the region have been grounded, in what officials called one of the most serious disruptions to global travel since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Official account

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said a drone targeting Zayed International Airport "was intercepted, leading to 'falling debris', killing one person and injuring seven." Dubai authorities reported that Dubai International Airport — "the world's busiest by passenger traffic" — was damaged in an "incident" that injured four staff, according to official statements.

Details and regional impact

Iran’s strikes, which used a combination of ballistic missiles and drones, were launched after Tehran said its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in an earlier US‑Israeli offensive. Explosions were reported in Doha, Dubai and Manama as countries across the Gulf moved to intercept incoming rounds. Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait all said they had intercepted missiles fired towards them, though falling debris from those intercepts appeared to have caused widespread damage.

  • Abu Dhabi: One killed and seven injured after intercept of a drone targeting AUH.
  • Dubai: Four airport staff injured at DXB; fire reported in a berth at Jebel Ali deep sea port after "aerial interception" debris ignited a blaze.
  • Bahrain: Interior ministry said the airport was damaged after being targeted by a drone; IRGC said it struck the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Manama.
  • Oman: State news agency reported Duqm commercial port was targeted by two drones, injuring one worker.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had struck the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, with footage showing large plumes of black smoke near the base. In Dubai, authorities also reported intercepts over the Jebel Ali port, the world’s ninth busiest, where falling debris caused a fire in a berth. There were unconfirmed reports of continuing attacks on Sunday morning.

Outlook

The strikes and subsequent intercepts have produced immediate humanitarian and commercial effects — casualties at airports, damage at ports and the grounding of thousands of flights — and have further raised tensions across the Gulf. Officials and airlines continue to monitor the airspace closely as investigators and emergency services assess debris damage and the wider safety implications for airports, seaports and US military installations in the region. With multiple countries reporting intercepts and authorities warning of ongoing threats, disruptions to travel and port operations are likely to persist while security assessments continue.