ISLAMABAD: Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international travel hub, has suspended all operations indefinitely after an incident involving an Iranian missile strike on Terminal 3, according to airport sources and official statements.
The dramatic closure came amid a barrage of retaliatory Iranian missile attacks across Gulf states following massive joint strikes by the United States and Israel on targets inside Iran.
Airport authorities confirmed minor damage to a concourse in Terminal 3, with emergency teams swiftly containing the situation.
Four staff members sustained injuries and received immediate medical attention, the Dubai Media Office stated.
Most terminals had already been cleared of passengers under existing contingency plans, limiting civilian exposure.
Social media footage showed chaos inside the terminal, with reports of panic as explosions echoed nearby.
The incident forms part of Iran’s broader retaliation targeting US military assets hosted in the region.
UAE air defenses intercepted numerous incoming missiles and drones over Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Despite interceptions, debris from one projectile caused the airport damage and injuries.
Official UAE statements described the strikes as a blatant violation of sovereignty and international law.
The Ministry of Defence reported successful intercepts but acknowledged risks to civilian infrastructure.
Dubai Airports operator announced the full suspension at both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC).
Hundreds of flights faced cancellation or diversion, stranding thousands of passengers worldwide.
The shutdown severely impacts global aviation networks, as Dubai handles over 90 million passengers annually.
It serves as a critical connector between Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
Airlines including Emirates and flydubai, major operators at the hub, halted services immediately.
Regional airspace closures across the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and others compounded the disruptions.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed strikes on military targets hosting US forces.
Gulf states hosting such bases, including the UAE, bore the brunt of retaliatory actions.
In Dubai, a luxury hotel on Palm Jumeirah also suffered damage from falling debris, injuring four people.
Explosions rattled residential areas, prompting residents to seek shelter.
UAE authorities issued alerts urging calm and caution in travel.
One civilian fatality occurred in Abu Dhabi from shrapnel.
The attacks follow US and Israeli operations that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, per some sources.
This escalation marks a dangerous widening of the conflict beyond initial targets.
International observers express alarm over risks to civilian life and economic stability.
Dubai’s role as a global transit point amplifies the incident’s worldwide repercussions.
Travel advisories from multiple countries urge avoidance of the region.
Passengers at other hubs face cascading delays and rerouting challenges.
The incident underscores vulnerabilities of civilian infrastructure in proxy-involved conflicts.
UAE leaders condemned the attacks while coordinating regional responses.
Support for defensive alliances appears strengthened amid the threats.
As operations remain halted, recovery timelines depend on de-escalation efforts.
Authorities prioritize safety assessments before resuming flights.
The event highlights the fragile balance in the Middle East amid ongoing hostilities.
Global attention focuses on potential further retaliations and diplomatic interventions.