Dubai, Abu Dhabi News Highlights: 2 Iranian drones strike near Dubai Airport, four people injured

Iran’s joint military command announced plans to target banks and financial institutions in the Middle East, putting financial hubs like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain at risk. A Tehran branch of Bank Sepah, sanctioned by the US, was attacked on Wednesday.

In a post on X, Dubai police said sharing rumors, false information, or any content that contradicts official announcements or that may cause public panic or threaten public safety, order, or health is prohibited.

Violators may face criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines of no less than AED 200,000

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that three of Ukraine's anti-drone teams have arrived in the Middle East, and are ‘working’ in three Gulf states targeted by Iran.

Faced with an unprecedented crisis in shipping its oil to clients overseas, Saudi Arabia is moving rapidly to activate a decades-old contingency plan -- pumping millions of gallons across vast tracts of desert to reach tankers on the Red Sea.

Qatar's UN envoy, Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, on Wednesday, said that Iran’s attacks on Qatar are unjustified and an unacceptable escalation.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Wednesday, said that the government is working to ensure the safety and welfare of its citizens stranded in West Asia amid escalating tensions.

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that those planning to exit Iran via land, the embassy is assisting citizens in crossing into Armenia and Azerbaijan, from where they can board commercial flights to return to India.

Consultancy firms like Deloitte and PwC, and others in Dubai, have closed offices or asked employees to evacuate on Wednesday after Iran threatened US and Israel-linked economic assets in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi Media Office says it has controlled a fire at Abu Dhabi's old airport following interception by air defence systems; no injuries were reported.

Air India and Air India Express will operate a total of 58 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from different destinations in the West Asia region on 12 March 2026.

“Iranian dockworkers, administrative personnel, and commercial vessel crews should avoid Iranian naval ⁠vessels and military equipment,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on Wednesday.

Oman on Wednesday said that it is "on high alert" after drone attacks targeted fuel tanks at Salalah Port, Khaleej Times reported.

Citi, the US financial group, on Wednesday asked its Dubai employees to evacuate their offices amidheightened security concerns as Iran threatened to strike US and Israel-linked banks.

Employees were asked to evacuate Citi offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and in Oud Metha, AFP reported.

All HSBC branches in Qatar are closed until further notice to ensure the safety of customers and staff, says Reuters after customers receive text messages.

Drones struck fuel tanks at Oman's Salalah port on Wednesday, state media reported, as Iran continues to target Gulf infrastructure in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.

"A security source reported that several drones were shot down, while others struck fuel tanks at the port of Salalah," the Oman News Agency said, adding that no casualties were reported.

On Wednesday, Switzerland's foreign office said that it is temporarily closing its embassy in Tehran amid the ongoing war.

On Wednesday (local time), Air France announced that it is extending the suspension of its flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until March 14, 2026.

They have also extended the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 15.

In a post on X, the UAE presidential advisor, Anwar Gargash, said Iran “is lying when they claim to be targeting US bases in the Gulf.”

Slamming Iran, he added that the attacks are being carried out on "civilian infrastructure... with no regard for civilians and innocent people".

On Wednesday, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said that two Indians have lost their lives and one remains missing amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

During the Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia, Jaiswal reiterated that the welfare and safety of India's large diaspora in the region remain the government's “utmost priority.”

US tech companies like Google, Amazon, Nvidia, and IBM are now facing threats from Iran's IRGC, after the paramilitary group issued a warning. Additionally, it has advised people to stay away from US and Israeli banks

On Wednesday (local time), Qatari authorities sent out a message saying, “The security threat has been eliminated, and the situation has returned to normal.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday said that it attacked US troops in Kuwait, claiming to hit the al-Udairi helicopter airbase, the Mohammed al-Ahmad naval base, and the Ali al-Salem airbase.

In the statement, it also claimed to have struck a naval base in Bahrain, hosting US troops, with missiles and drones.

Four loud booms were heard in Bahrain after emergency sirens sounded, Reuters reported

In a post on X, Etihad Airways shared the flight schedule from Abu Dhabi.

Loud bangs were heard in Dubai on Wednesday afternoon, Reuters reported, citing witnesses.

This comes after four people were injured after two drones fell near Dubai's airport, the government said. Air traffic operated as normal.

Since Iran's attacks began on February 28, the UAE has seen 262 ballistic missiles and roughly 1,500 drones target its territory, more than all of the other nations that have faced Iranian attacks combined.

Most have been intercepted.

A total of six people were killed, mostly civilians, but also two Emirati troops who died when a helicopter malfunctioned.

The UAE President wrote a patriotic poem that was performed by the national orchestra, state media said Wednesday, as his country faced the attacks unleashed by Iran after US-Israeli strikes.

"The UAE National Orchestra has released a special musical tribute, titled 'Men, by God, Truly Men', featuring the poem 'Rijal Wallah Rijal' written by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, honouring those who dedicate themselves to protecting the nation," WAM said.

KLM on Wednesday (local time) announced that it is cancelling all Dubai flights till 28 March amid the ongoing war in the Middle East

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday said its air defence systems are responding to a missile threat, urging the public to remain in safe locations.

“MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

Earlier on Wednesday, two drones came down near Dubai International Airport (DXB), leaving four people injured, the Dubai Media Office said.

"Authorities confirm that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) a short while ago," the media office posted on X, adding that air traffic is operating as normal.

The injured included:

2 Ghanaian nationals (minor injuries)

1 Indian national (moderate injuries)

1 Bangladeshi national (minor injuries)

On Wednesday, Dubai Airport announced that it had briefly halted operations amid drone strikes, which targeted the facility and resulted in four injuries.

Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, British Airways on Wednesday said that it has cancelled all flights to and from Amman, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv “until later this month”, while flights to and from Abu Dhabi have been cancelled “until later this year.”

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has asked its onshore oil partners to collect their Murban crude from the port of Jebel Dhanna, which is located inside the Persian Gulf behind the Strait of Hormuz, reported Bloomberg.

At least two of the six equity holders of the state-run company’s onshore output have been told the supply they are due this month should be picked up from the port.