Dubai briefly halts flights after drone strike near airport; 19 Indians arrested over online posts

Dubai International Airport briefly suspended flight operations on Monday after a drone strike hit facilities near the airfield, authorities said, as tensions from the ongoing regional conflict spilled further into the United Arab Emirates.

Officials said the attack damaged fuel tanks close to the airport, forcing several aircraft to circle in the air while emergency crews responded to the incident.

The disruption came just days after another attack briefly affected operations at the airport. Emirates, the largest airline operating from Dubai’s main aviation hub, confirmed that flights had been temporarily suspended.

Meanwhile, UAE authorities said 35 people — including 19 Indian nationals — had been arrested for allegedly posting “misleading and fabricated content” online related to the conflict.

Iran accuses US of using UAE territory

Iran accused the United States of using facilities in the UAE to launch attacks on Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal.

Tehran said American forces used “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to carry out strikes, though it provided no evidence to support the claim.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, rejected the accusations and said the country retains the right to defend itself while continuing to pursue restraint.

“The UAE prioritizes reason and logic and continues exercising restraint,” Gargash said in a social media post.

Iran warns Gulf states over oil infrastructure

Iran’s military command warned Saturday that it could target US-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructure” across the region if Iranian oil facilities continue to be attacked.

Tehran has said its operations are aimed at US military assets in the Middle East. The UAE, along with several regional states including Iraq, Jordan and Turkey, hosts US military installations.

However, drones and missiles have also struck civilian areas in the UAE, including locations near Dubai’s airport, major hotels and the country’s financial district.

Iran calls for ‘serious review’ of Gulf relations

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, said the war with the United States and Israel means Tehran’s relations with Gulf states will require a “serious review.”

In comments to Reuters, Enayati said the region must reduce its dependence on outside powers and work toward stronger regional cooperation.

“We are neighbours and we cannot do without each other,” he said. “We will need a serious review.”

He added that the Middle East’s instability over the past five decades had been driven by divisions within the region and heavy reliance on foreign powers.

Enayati called for closer cooperation among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, along with Iraq and Iran.

Gulf states face growing fallout from war

The UAE — which normalised relations with Israel in 2020 — has been among the hardest-hit Gulf states in recent attacks. However, the wider region has also felt the effects of the escalating conflict.

Analysts and regional sources told Reuters that frustration with the United States is growing among Gulf governments. Many view Washington as their long-standing security guarantor but say they have been drawn into a war they did not support and are now paying a heavy price for.

In Saudi Arabia, strikes have mainly targeted the kingdom’s eastern region, home to much of its oil production.

According to the Saudi defence ministry, targets have also included Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US forces east of Riyadh, and the Diplomatic Quarter in the Saudi capital.

Saudi Arabia and Iran restored full diplomatic relations in 2023 after years of hostility that had seen both sides support rival political and military groups across the region.