Burj Khalifa evacuated as explosions rock Dubai amid Iran retaliation after US-Israel strikes

Dubai was jolted by loud explosions on Saturday as Iran launched retaliatory attacks across the Gulf following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran earlier in the day. Authorities evacuated the 828-metre Burj Khalifa as a precautionary measure, while flight operations at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport were suspended amid widening regional airspace closures.

Black smoke was seen rising from parts of the city, including the Palm Jumeirah area, where emergency teams responded to an “incident” that left four people injured. Officials did not immediately confirm whether the blasts were linked to missile debris, but residents reported windows shaking and fireballs streaking across the night sky.

The evacuation of the Burj Khalifa, one of the world’s most visited landmarks, followed intensified air defence activity and concerns over falling debris. While there were no confirmed direct hits on the structure, authorities prioritised public safety and urged residents and tourists to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified visuals online.

In Abu Dhabi, missile debris reportedly fell in a residential area, killing one civilian, as tensions escalated sharply. Across the Gulf, airspace restrictions were imposed by multiple countries, disrupting one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors. Airports ground to a halt as security agencies assessed the evolving threat.

The escalation followed a US-Israeli operation targeting Tehran, after which Iran vowed a “decisive response”. Missiles were reported over several Gulf capitals, with interceptions and emergency evacuations taking place near US-linked installations. The rapid chain of events has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, leaving Gulf cities on high alert.