Why is Iran attacking Dubai? Tourist hotspot becomes collateral damage in war between US, Israel and Iran

Two of the most famous hotels in Dubai have been bombed and one of the world’s biggest travel hubs remains under siege as Iran attacks neighbouring nations that play host to US and Israeli military targets.

The Fairmont and Burj Al Arab hotels have been seen burning after missiles were launched by Iran in retaliation following US and Israeli bombing raids on Tehran across the weekend.

Countries throughout the Middle East have been caught in the crossfire as projectiles were fired over borders and the skies above Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the UAE lighting up with explosions.

Iran launched the strikes soon after the joint US, Israel operation commenced and said they would continue until their “enemy is defeated”.

Tehran has targeted Dubai, as well as countries such as Jordan and Bahrain because the US has military bases in those areas.

“All Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles.” Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said.

“This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said via messaging to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Iran would “continue ⁠to exercise its right of ⁠self-defence decisively and without ⁠hesitation until ⁠the aggression ceases fully and unequivocally”.

The group of nations hammered by Iran are close-quarter targets for Tehran’s military as they seek to disrupt US military bases and infrastructure in the region.

Dubai has descended into chaos with all airspace shut, airports closed and millions of travellers across the globe effected by the flow-on from the attacks.

The UAE Ministry of Defence has strongly advised Iran to cease the raids calling them a “blatant attack” that may threaten the global economy.

“[The UAE will] ensure the safety of its citizens and residents, in accordance with international law. The UAE will not tolerate any compromise to its security or sovereignty under any circumstances,” the statement said.

Huge explosions were seen across Dubai, the Qatari capital Doha and Oman as the strikes on the Islamic Republic widened, AP reports.

Iran had said it would only target US bases in the region but have hit a range of other targets across Gulf cities.

Two people were injured in Dubai after shrapnel from drones fell on two houses when they were intercepted, a Dubai media office statement said.

Thick black plumes of smoke continued to rise from the Jebel Ali port area, where one of the berths caught fire on Sunday because of debris from an intercepted missile.

Residents watched in shock as an Iranian missile hit the five-star hotel in Dubai’s luxurious Palm Jumeirah area. Social media videos showed fires breaking out near the entrance of the hotel, which led to four people being injured.

“Civil Defence teams responded immediately and brought the incident under control. No injuries have been reported,” the Dubai media office said on X.

The media office also said that part of Dubai’s international airport “sustained minor damage in an incident,” without giving further details.

One Dubai resident said that “everyone is very scared” as the situation continued to deteriorate.

In neighbouring Oman, which was spared retaliation on Saturday, Duqm commercial port was targeted by two drones, wounding one worker, the state news agency said on Sunday.

Qatar’s interior ministry said on Sunday it was responding to a limited fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.