Loud Blasts Rock Downtown Dubai as Iran Strikes Gulf Targets

New Delhi: Explosions were heard in downtown Dubai, including one very loud blast, as Iran continued its campaign against the Gulf in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks.

The city-state also reported a "minor drone incident" in its al-Badaa neighbourhood, stating that no one was injured. 

Residents in several areas also reported hearing multiple loud explosions, though the exact cause of the blasts has not yet been confirmed.

Iran widens attacks across Gulf region

Iran's attacks across the Gulf have intensified in recent days, targeting shipping routes, energy infrastructure and strategic locations.

Iranian strikes hit a container ship off the coast of Dubai, triggered a fire near Bahrain’s international airport, and targeted a major Saudi oil field using a drone. In Iraq, authorities were forced to halt operations at all oil terminals after Iran attacked the port of Basra on the Persian Gulf.

Iran also ignored a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding that it halt attacks on Gulf nations, with fresh strikes reported in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

The ongoing attacks on shipping lanes and energy infrastructure have sent global oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel.

Analysts say the disruption of critical energy routes in the Gulf has heightened concerns over global supply chains and energy security, further intensifying economic pressures worldwide.

Israel continues strikes on Iran and Lebanon

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its military operations against Iranian targets and Iran-backed groups in the region.

Israeli forces launched a “wide-scale wave of strikes” on Tehran while also targeting positions linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Two early morning strikes reportedly killed 11 people, as the conflict widened beyond Iran’s borders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said joint operations with the United States had achieved near-total dominance over Iranian airspace.

“We achieved almost complete control over the skies of Tehran,” Netanyahu said in a video message.

War began with February 28 strikes

The conflict began on February 28, when Israel launched what it described as “preventive strikes” against Iranian targets in an operation called “Roar of the Lion”.

The attacks targeted several locations in Tehran, including areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was later confirmed to have been killed in the strikes.

One of the opening attacks reportedly struck a girls’ school in Minab, resulting in dozens of deaths and drawing criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups.

Iran retaliates with missiles and drones

In response, Iran launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. military bases and allied nations across the Middle East.

Several Gulf nations including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan reported intercepting incoming projectiles.

Explosions were also reported near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, while other strikes targeted infrastructure across the region.

Regional leaders and international organisations have expressed concern over the widening conflict.

The Arab League described Iran’s war strategy as “reckless”, while several countries reported intercepting Iranian missiles in areas without U.S. military bases.

Meanwhile, Ukraine announced plans to send experts to assist the United States and Middle Eastern allies in countering Iranian drone attacks.