Dubai’s Burj Khalifa was evacuated after explosions were heard across the city during Iranian missile strikes in the Gulf, media reports said. The strikes followed joint US and Israeli attacks on Tehran earlier in the day.   Iran targeted locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, as well as Doha and Riyadh. Residents in Dubai said they heard loud blasts and saw missiles moving across the sky. “It was a big explosion, and it made the windows shake,” one witness said.   The UAE said a civilian of Asian nationality was killed in Abu Dhabi after missile debris fell in a residential area. Qatar said it intercepted incoming missiles and reported no casualties. (PC: NDTV)

British fighter jets are operating in the Middle East as part of a defensive move, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Saturday. In a televised message, he said the aircraft are “in the sky” to protect UK personnel, bases and allies. He said security for British forces has been raised to the highest level.   The UK did not take part in the US-Israel strikes on Iran. Starmer said he wants “peace and security” in the region and protection of civilian life. He urged Iran to stop further strikes and return to talks. The government said its main focus is the safety of UK nationals. (PC: BBC)

A missile strike hit a girls’ school in Minab, in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province, amid heavy US-Israel military operations on Saturday. Iranian officials said 85 people, many of them children, were killed. Authorities said the deaths were at a girls’ elementary school when the attack hit during class. The judiciary’s online news site quoted the local prosecutor saying the toll had risen to 85. The Iranian government did not provide an independent list of victims. There has been no confirmation from the United States or Israel on the specific strike. Iran has condemned the attack and vowed responses. (PC: NDTV)

Iran said it struck a US naval base in Bahrain after joint US and Israeli attacks on its territory.   Smoke was seen near the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama. Bahrain confirmed a strike on Naval Support Activity Bahrain. The US has not commented on the damage.   Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted US bases under operation “Truthful Promise 4”. It called the action a response to what it described as a “massive” attack.   The UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait said they intercepted missiles in their airspace. UAE officials said debris killed one civilian in Abu Dhabi. (PC: BBC)

Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport have stopped all flight operations after Iranian missile strikes hit parts of the Gulf region on Saturday.   Dubai Airports said services at DXB and DWC are suspended “until further notice” for safety reasons. “Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time and to contact their respective airlines,” the statement said.   The move follows joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which were followed by Iranian missile attacks on Gulf states. Explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Manama. UAE officials said air defence systems intercepted several missiles.   The airport closure has disrupted global travel routes. (PC: NDTV)

The United States and Israel launched major air strikes on Iran on Saturday. Israel called the operation “Roar of the Lion”, while the US confirmed its role. Iranian media said at least 40 students were killed after a strike hit a girls’ school in Minab. Many others were injured. Iran fired missiles at Israel and Gulf states in response. Sirens sounded in Bahrain and Israel. Several countries shut their airspace. US President Donald Trump said the attacks targeted Iran’s security network. Iran said its senior leaders are safe and promised strong retaliation. The situation remains tense across the Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel and United States launched coordinated military strikes on Iran to eliminate what he described as an “existential threat” from Tehran’s government. The operation, reportedly named Operation Lion’s Roar, targets Iran’s military and strategic assets, with Netanyahu urging Iranian citizens to break free from tyranny and calling on Israelis to follow safety directives amid rising tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump backed the offensive as major combat operations aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities. Explosions were reported in Tehran and regional instability is escalating rapidly.

Emergency sirens rang out across Bahrain after a reported missile attack targeted facilities linked to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the capital, Manama. The incident followed escalating hostilities after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors as explosions were reported near key military zones. While the extent of damage remains unclear, the development has heightened security concerns across the Gulf, with neighboring countries also on alert amid rising tensions and fears of further retaliation in the Middle East.

Israel launched a pre-emptive military strike on Iran, with **explosions reported in Tehran and a state of emergency declared by Israeli authorities, according to defence officials. Sirens sounded across Israel as alerts urged civilians to seek shelter amid fears of Iranian missile retaliation. Iran’s state media acknowledged blasts in the capital without full details. The offensive—reported to involve both Israeli and U.S. forces—comes amid long-running tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme and follows failed diplomatic talks. The situation has disrupted travel and heightened regional instability, with international observers warning of potential further escalation. 

Following coordinated US‑Israel military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, US President Donald Trump stated the action aimed to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its nuclear programme and developing long‑range missiles that could threaten the United States and allies. Trump shared a stern message on Truth Social, warning Iran’s regime to “lay down arms or face certain death” and asserting that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.” He described the ongoing strikes as part of a “massive operation” targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure and military capabilities after diplomatic negotiations failed. The escalation raises fears of broader regional conflict.