Flights at Dubai International Airport were briefly suspended after a drone strike triggered a massive fire near a fuel storage facility, officials said on Monday, as the US-Israel-Iran war entered its 17th day.
Teams from Dubai Civil Defence quickly contained the blaze, and authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported.
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority said flights were halted temporarily as a precaution to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show large flames rising near the airport, suggesting the scale of the fire.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the US president, said the military campaign against Iran was “progressing wonderfully” and claimed the United States was not receiving oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, according to media reports.
He urged countries that depend on the crucial shipping route to help secure it and suggested a planned summit with Xi Jinping could be delayed due to the crisis affecting global shipping.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would retaliate if its energy infrastructure came under attack. He dismissed Trump’s claim that Iran was seeking truce negotiations and accused Israel of violating international law by targeting fuel depots in Tehran.
A commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces also warned that any strike on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, would significantly disrupt global energy markets.
Israeli forces, meanwhile, carried out fresh air strikes in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, targeting towns including Khiam and Bint Jbeil. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said raids on Majdal Selm and Aytit killed five people and injured seven others.
Iran also launched missiles toward Israel, triggering air raid sirens across central areas, although Israeli media reported that the projectiles landed in open areas without causing casualties.
Air defence systems were activated across several Gulf countries as drones and missiles were intercepted during the conflict. Saudi Arabia said its air defences shot down drones in the Eastern Province, while Bahrain reported intercepting 125 missiles and 212 drones since the war began.
Drones and rockets also targeted Baghdad International Airport, which hosts a US diplomatic mission.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis continued, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia condemning what they described as Iranian attacks and calling for negotiations during a phone conversation between Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Faisal bin Farhan.
India said diplomatic engagement with Tehran had helped two Indian-flagged gas tankers pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has caused casualties across at least 12 countries. According to official figures released by regional authorities as of March 15, Iran reported 1,444 deaths and 18,551 injuries. Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed 826 people and injured more than 2,000, while Israel reported 15 deaths and 3,138 injuries.
Elsewhere, Iraq reported 27 deaths, Kuwait six, the United Arab Emirates six, Oman three, Bahrain two and Saudi Arabia two. Jordan reported 28 injuries and Qatar 16. The US military also confirmed that 13 personnel had been killed and between 140 and 150 injured since the conflict began.
