Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi after the United Arab Emirates intercepted several Iranian missiles on Saturday, according to the country’s state news agency. Qatar’s defence ministry said it also downed missiles targeting Doha.
Interceptions and reported explosions
Multiple witnesses, including two Reuters correspondents, reported hearing loud booms in parts of Abu Dhabi. One witness told Reuters she heard five booms in rapid succession that caused windows in a house near Abu Dhabi’s Corniche to vibrate.
Other witnesses in the Al Dhafra and Bateen areas also reported hearing loud booms. Separate bangs were heard near Dubai’s Marina neighbourhood, witnesses said, with the cause unclear.
Explosions were also heard on the outskirts of the southern Iranian city of Shiraz, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported.
Regional and diplomatic developments
Iran’s Foreign Minister told his Iraqi counterpart that Tehran would target all U.S. military bases in the region and would continue to defend itself, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said.
The U.S. State Department advised American citizens in Iran to shelter in place “until further notice” due to ongoing military operations, following President Donald Trump’s order of “major combat operations” against the country.
What impact do you think these developments could have on regional security in the coming days?