Dubai’s most iconic landmarks were burning Saturday night, and Iran had specifically picked the targets that would hurt the emirate’s economy the most

Dubai was struck by a massive Iranian missile and drone attack on February 28, 2026, with explosions hitting some of the city’s biggest revenue-generating sites. Targets included the Palm Jumeirah island, the Burj Al Arab hotel, and Dubai International Airport. The attack was unprecedented in both its scale and the deliberate choice of targets.

Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones at UAE territory. Defense systems intercepted most of them, but some got through, causing fires and damage across the city. Drone debris sparked fires at the base of the Burj Al Arab and at Jebel Ali port.

According to Le Monde, the targets were not random. Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest airport for international traffic, and Jebel Ali is a massive seaport that also hosts US warships. Together, these two facilities account for 60% of Dubai’s total revenues.

Iran clearly aimed at Dubai’s economic backbone, not just its landmarks

On the Palm Jumeirah, witnesses heard explosions and saw smoke rising from a five-star hotel. The Dubai Media Office confirmed an “incident” at a building there, which caused a fire and injured four people. Hours later, a second blast hit near the same building after what appeared to be a drone fell from the sky.

At the Burj Al Arab, falling drone debris caused a minor fire on its outer facade. The Dubai Media Office confirmed that civil defense teams responded immediately and brought the situation under control, with no injuries reported. Police blocked off the hotel’s entrance to both pedestrians and vehicles.

Dubai International Airport suffered “minor damage” to a concourse, and four staff members were wounded. The UAE had already closed its airspace as a precaution, meaning most passengers had already left, which likely prevented more casualties.

The situation also affected Abu Dhabi. Zayed International Airport experienced an “incident” that killed one person and wounded seven others, according to its governing body. Iran stated that the strikes were in retaliation for recent attacks by the US and Israel.

Earlier this year, Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran after nuclear talks collapsed, which set off the current wave of escalation. The country launched similar attacks on nearly all oil-and-gas rich Gulf states, with the exception of Oman, which has been serving as a mediator in US-Iran talks. 

As tensions continue to rise, VP Vance’s past statements on military intervention have drawn renewed attention amid questions about the US response. Dubai, where about 90% of the population are foreigners, now finds itself caught in escalating regional tensions and facing a direct assault on its economic foundations.