Iranian Missiles Intercepted Over Dubai as Tourists Watch in Astonishment
A startling video has emerged showing Iranian missiles being intercepted over the skies of Dubai, with western tourists in bikinis watching the dramatic scene from poolside loungers. The 11-second clip, which has garnered over half a million views online, captures the surreal moment as two small clouds expand in the blue sky above the United Arab Emirates city.
In the footage, a woman can be heard exclaiming, 'Oh my god' as she pans her camera across the pool and back up to two plumes of smoke marking the intercepted projectiles. This extraordinary scene unfolds against a backdrop of escalating military action, with the United States and Israel launching airstrikes on Iran, sparking fears that the Middle East may be on the brink of all-out war.
Tourists' Reactions to the Unfolding Crisis
Will Bailey, a British tourist visiting Dubai, shared on TikTok that he was 'awoken to what seems like World War Three' on his first day in the city. 'Apparently, missiles have just landed in Abu Dhabi, which is about an hour drive from Dubai,' he said. 'I was about to go to a beach club and have a nice Saturday afternoon.'
As he listened to a radio message confirming the British embassy was aware of strikes over the UAE, his friend joked, 'We need to get a bottle show, it could be our last one.' Will nervously replied, 'Go out with a bang literally,' before biting his nails as the broadcast confirmed a second wave of missiles had been intercepted. The mood turned somber when he learned of one death in Abu Dhabi amid the strikes.
British influencer Leah Mai, who moved from London to Dubai, posted a short clip of the blue sky to her story following the missile interception. 'Every so often, you get reminded that you live in the Middle East. A place where bombs do actually go off. Mad,' she wrote.
Elsewhere, Jamie Smith, who was drinking pints by the pool, reported hearing 'three loud bangs.' He noted, 'Hotel is delivering complementary ice lollies like all is good. Well the pool and the adjoining pub are very quiet for a Saturday.'
Wider Regional Escalation and Military Operations
The incident in Dubai is part of a broader wave of attacks across the region. Blasts have also rocked Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi. In Bahrain, officials confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet was targeted by a missile attack, with social media footage showing a large plume of smoke rising into the sky.
Explosions were also heard in Damascus, Syria, and Sidon, Lebanon, apparently due to Israeli missile interceptions. The joint US-Israel operation has been named 'Lion's Roar' by Israel and 'Epic Fury' by the US Department of Defense, which former President Donald Trump has renamed the Department of War.
In Tehran, witnesses reported the first blast near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office on Saturday morning. Iranian state television later reported the explosion without offering a cause. The 86-year-old leader, who has not been seen in public for days, is reportedly not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location.
Additional unverified reports mention explosions in other Iranian cities, including Isfahan and Tabriz. Iran has shut down its airspace, and mobile phone services were cut as internet access dropped by over half, according to NetBlocks.
Political Statements and International Response
Donald Trump condemned Iran's leaders, describing a 47-year 'campaign of bloodshed and mass murder' and vowing to 'raze' the country's missile industry 'to the ground.' In a detailed statement, he denounced the regime as the 'world's number one stage sponsor of terror' and emphasized that Iran must never develop nuclear weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the Iranian regime 'must not be armed with nuclear weapons.' He stated, 'This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity.' Netanyahu expressed hope that the joint action would enable the Iranian people to 'take their destiny into their own hands.'
The UK government confirmed it did not participate in the attacks. Sir Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee later today. UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar warned residents to stay indoors and away from military bases.
A UK Government spokesperson said, 'Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region... We stand ready to protect our interests. We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.' The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security concerns.
Calls for Uprising and Civilian Preparedness
Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged Iranians to prepare for an uprising and take to the streets amid the Islamic Republic's apparent collapse. He described the US attacks as a 'humanitarian intervention' and warned security forces to switch sides or 'sink' alongside the current regime.
Trump also addressed the Iranian people directly, stating, 'The hour of your freedom is at hand.' He urged them to stay sheltered and seize the opportunity to take control of their government, saying, 'This will probably be your only chance for generations.'
As tensions continue to rise, with Israel warning its citizens to prepare for possible retaliatory strikes, the situation remains volatile. The intercepted missiles over Dubai serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict's proximity to civilian life and tourism in the region.
