Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Trump will deliver diplomatic end ‘in his time’ - top UAE diplomat

"The Abu Dhabi Police Criminal Investigation Department arrested 45 individuals of various nationalities for filming different locations during ongoing events and posting them on social media platforms," the police in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi said.

"They were also accused of spreading inaccurate and misleading information, which could incite public opinion and spread rumours within the community," they added.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the world is witnessing “a dangerous escalation.”

He spoke during military exercises in Norway alongside Jonas Gahr Støre and Mark Carney.

Merz accused Iran of “indiscriminately” carrying out attacks on countries across the Gulf region.

He said the longer the conflict continues, the more uncertainty it creates globally.

“And one thing becomes increasingly clear, we need a convincing plan on how this war can come to an end.”

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior: “Traffic congestion on Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Street heading towards Hamad City near the Buri area following an accident involving several vehicles that resulted in an oil spill on the street, and the competent authorities are initiating their procedures to facilitate traffic movement.”

News agency ANI shares visuals of a missile impact in central Israel minutes ago after a missile fired from Iran struck the area.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Friday that they had launched missiles and drones at Israel in coordination with Hezbollah. The Guards said in a statement that the operation was part of its annual Quds Day, reported AFP

For thousands of workers in Dubai’s tourism sector, the Middle East war has brought business to a halt, putting their livelihoods at risk.

"Yesterday: zero. Today: zero. Not a single customer," said Dulash, 26, a Sri Lankan worker at a jet-ski rental company, reported AP. “I've never seen Dubai like this,” he told the news agency.

US President Donald Trump will bring about a diplomatic conclusion to the war with Iran "in his time", and Tehran must halt attacks on its neighbours before they can mediate, one of the UAE's top diplomats said in an interview, reported Reuters.

A large explosion rocked Iran's capital Tehran – where thousands were gathered Friday for an annual state-organized rally to support Palestinians. Israel had reportedly warned earlier that it would target the area in central Tehran

The Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the Israeli attack on southern Lebanon, describing it as a breach of international law.

In an official statement, the ministry said the strike violated international humanitarian law and contravened United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

Kuwait also urged the international community to take action to halt the attacks and ensure respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, calling for measures to prevent further escalation in the region.

Energy supplies in the United Arab Emirates remain stable and the national energy system is functioning normally, according to Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei.

The minister made the remarks after visiting the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) to review the response to a recent fire at one of the facilities in the area.

Speaking to Gulf News, Al Mazrouei said authorities acted swiftly to manage the situation and ensure the continued stability of the country’s energy infrastructure.

Oman Air has confirmed that it will continue operating flights from Muscat, while adding additional services to several international and regional destinations.

The airline said extra flights will operate to and from Muscat between March 16 and March 22 to accommodate passenger demand.

The additional services will connect Muscat with destinations including London (Heathrow), Cairo, Rome, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok and Salalah.

Middlesex University Dubai has announced that online learning will continue for students following the spring break.

According to the university, classes will be conducted remotely from Monday, March 23, to Sunday, April 5. The institution said the decision was taken to ensure continuity in academic activities while students continue their coursework online during the specified period.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: A minor fire was reported in central Dubai following a successful aerial interception, authorities said.

Officials later confirmed that the incident occurred after shrapnel from the intercepted object fell in the area. Authorities added that the fire was quickly brought under control and no injuries were reported.

Explosions were reported in central Dubai on Friday after air defence systems intercepted an aerial threat near the city’s financial district, as part of a broader wave of Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting Gulf countries.

According to a report by Turkiye Today, an Iranian drone hit an area close to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), one of the Middle East’s leading financial hubs.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have announced that expatriate residents currently outside the country whose residency visas have expired will be allowed to return without obtaining a new entry permit.

Under the decision, eligible residents can re-enter the United Arab Emirates during a one-month grace period from February 28 to March 31. The move is aimed at helping residents who were unable to return before their visas expired.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Government employees in Dubai will receive a four-day holiday to mark Eid Al Fitr, according to an official circular issued by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department.

The announcement was reported by Gulf News, citing the circular that confirmed the extended break for public sector employees in the emirate.

Approximately 9,000 American citizens residing in the United Arab Emirates have opted to remain in the country despite the US government offering to arrange charter evacuation flights, The Gulf News reported.

Qatar has advised residents to refrain from filming or sharing images and videos from accident sites or ongoing emergency response operations.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior said that circulating such content — especially unverified photos or videos — on social media could lead to legal accountability.

Bahrain has intercepted 191 drones and 115 missiles since the start of the Iranian attacks, the Kingdom's Defence Force said.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Jordan’s King Abdullah II and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a telephone conversation on Friday to discuss the ongoing dangerous escalation in the region, according to the Jordan News Agency.

A powerful blast shook buildings in Dubai’s financial hub, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), on Friday morning following an aerial interception, officials confirmed. Videos circulating on social media showed a thick cloud of smoke rising above the skyline shortly after the incident.

A flight operated by Emirates from Dubai arrived at Chennai International Airport early hours on Friday with a delay of about one hour after its departure was postponed.

Flight EK 0542 departed late from Dubai airport due to air clearance procedures amid heightened tension in the West Asian region, according to passengers. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Chennai.

Speaking to ANI, Messool, a passenger (a student studying medicine) travelling from Dubai, said that due to the current war-related tensions, educational institutions had been conducting online classes for the past week. He said Ramadan holidays had also been announced earlier, and students were advised to remain cautious.

"We heard interception sounds at times and were asked to stay safe. Online classes will continue from March 23rd until the situation returns to normal," he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed Pakistan's "full solidarity" with Saudi Arabia as the West Asia crisis escalates, PTI reported.

The meeting was held on Thursday after PM Sharif dashed to Saudi Arabia in the wake of deteriorating situation in West Asia following US and Israeli attacks on Iran. (PTI)

A building in central Dubai was hit by debris from an intercepted attack, the government media office said, after blasts shook the Middle East financial hub.

Explosions rattled buildings in Dubai and a large cloud of smoke hung over a central area of the city, AFP correspondents said.

A building at the Dubai International Financial Center also sustained damage when hit with debris from what authorities described as a “successful interception,” as reported by AP.

Iran has been attacking oil and other infrastructur e around the Gulf region, and on Friday Saudi Arabia that it had downed nearly 50 drones sent in multiple waves throughout the early morning hours, AP reported.

"The competent authorities have confirmed that a minor incident, resulting from the fall of shrapnel due to an air interception, is being handled on the facade of one of the buildings in central Dubai, with no injuries recorded," said Dubai Media House in a post on X.

Iran has been attacking oil and other infrastructur e around the Gulf region, and on Friday Saudi Arabia that it had downed nearly 50 drones sent in multiple waves throughout the early morning hours, AP reported.

Dubai Police said in a post on X, "Your safety comes first. If you hear an emergency alert while driving, continue driving calmly and do not stop or film. Follow official instructions to keep yourself and everyone safe."

Amid the Middle East conflict, Iran had launched drone and missile attacks on Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mainly in retaliation for a wider conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.

Sirens also sounded in Bahrain warning of incoming fire from Dubai, and black smoke billowed from an industrial area after authorities said debris from an interception had sparked a blaze, AP reported.

Thick black smoke rose over Dubai’s skyline early Friday after what authorities described as a fire in an industrial area of the city-state, AP reported.

Iran launched several attacks early Friday against Gulf Arab states, including dozens of drones targeting Saudi Arabia, after its new supreme leader warned countries about hosting American bases. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened significant new retaliation. (AP)

US President Trump issues new threat about Iran: ‘Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today’.

A missile alert sounded on mobile phones in Dubai on Friday morning as authorities said air defenses were targeting incoming Iranian fire.